Middle Schools in Camden County

Camden County is served by two middle schools—Camden Middle School and Saint Marys Middle School—both covering grades 6-8 with nearly identical enrollments of about 1,078 students each. The district ranks in the 95th percentile statewide (11th out of 201 districts) and both schools hold consistent 4-star ratings, placing them in the top quartile of Georgia middle schools.

Saint Marys Middle School is the higher-ranked of the two, currently sitting at 110th in the state (81st percentile) with remarkable three-year stability. It posts the stronger scores in 8th-grade math (60.5% proficient vs. 58.5%), science (51.4% vs. 48.1%), and social studies (56.0% vs. 48.2%). Camden Middle School, while ranked slightly lower at 136th, shows steady upward momentum in its state ranking over three years and matches or exceeds Saint Marys in 6th-grade math (45.6% vs. 43.7%). Both schools achieve a perfect 100% proficiency rate in Algebra I—more than double the state average of 48.1%—and score between 95-98% proficient in high school Physical Science, compared to 60.9% statewide. This exceptional performance in advanced coursework is a standout strength for both schools.

Chronic absenteeism is the most significant concern, with both schools reporting rates around 24%—roughly 35% higher than the state average of 17.7%. Camden Middle serves a higher-need population (56.4% free/reduced lunch vs. 47.5% at Saint Marys) yet achieves comparable math scores in lower grades, suggesting effective instructional strategies. Camden also spends about $956 more per student ($11,484 vs. $10,528) and has a slightly better student-teacher ratio (14.0:1 vs. 15.3:1), though Saint Marys achieves better overall outcomes. Both schools improved significantly in 8th-grade science year-over-year, with Camden showing a dramatic 12.4-point jump. For parents, either school offers strong academics with exceptional advanced coursework opportunities, though Saint Marys holds a slight edge in overall performance while Camden demonstrates promising improvement and resilience.