Bryan County

Bryan County Schools is a 10-school district in coastal Georgia serving approximately 10,677 students across six elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools, split between the Richmond Hill and Pembroke communities. The district ranks in the 91st percentile statewide with a 5-star rating, though performance varies dramatically between its two geographic halves.

The Richmond Hill cluster dominates the district's accolades. McAllister Elementary School is the standout, ranking 37th in Georgia (97th percentile) with 5th grade math proficiency at 85.3%—nearly double the state average—and it has climbed from the 94th to 97th percentile in two years. Richmond Hill High School ranks 28th among Georgia high schools with a 95.8% graduation rate, while Richmond Hill Middle School posts exceptional Algebra I proficiency at 95.9%. By contrast, the Pembroke-area schools lag significantly: Bryan County Middle School has slipped to the 41st percentile with a 2-star rating, and its 6th grade math proficiency (27.0%) is less than half of Richmond Hill Middle's (61.9%). Bryan County High School has improved to the 73rd percentile but still trails Richmond Hill High by roughly 20 points in most subjects.

Socioeconomic factors and attendance patterns closely track these divides. Free/reduced lunch rates range from 11.99% at McAllister to 71.37% at Bryan County Elementary School, and chronic absenteeism is 25.4% at Bryan County High versus 5.2% at McAllister. Notably, the Pembroke schools actually spend more per student (up to $16,927 at Bryan County High) yet achieve lower scores, suggesting resources alone haven't closed the gap. One bright spot: both middle schools excel in Algebra I (92.9% and 95.9% proficiency), and the district's overall graduation rate of 94.5% far exceeds the state's 87.2%. For parents, the choice is clear—Richmond Hill schools offer elite performance, while Pembroke schools, though improving, face persistent challenges.