Summary:
Webster County Elementary/Middle School and Webster County High School serve the city of Preston, Georgia, within the Webster County district, a small, high-poverty area where all 228 students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
The elementary/middle school is the district’s clear standout, earning a 2-star rating and ranking in the 34th percentile statewide—the best in the district. It excels in early elementary math, with 60% of 3rd graders proficient, well above the state average of 48.3%. However, this success does not carry through upper grades: 5th grade math proficiency plummets to just 13%, and 8th grade social studies sits at 0% proficient, a persistent crisis. The high school, by contrast, struggles significantly, ranking in the bottom 7% of Georgia high schools with a 0-star rating. Only 13% of students are proficient in Algebra I and Biology, despite the school spending $27,668 per student—nearly double the national average. Its 100% graduation rate is a bright spot, though it contrasts sharply with these low test scores.
Chronic absenteeism tells a mixed story: the elementary/middle school beats the state average (14.8% vs. 17.7%), while the high school lags at 21.5%. With tiny class sizes (student-teacher ratios around 9:1), the district invests heavily per pupil, yet outcomes in upper grades and high school remain weak. The dramatic drop-off between 3rd and 5th grade math—a 47-point gap—suggests a critical intervention point, while the high school’s resource allocation and absenteeism are urgent concerns. For parents, the elementary/middle school offers a strong early foundation, but the district as a whole faces significant challenges in sustaining achievement through middle and high school.
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