Summary:
Metter Elementary School is the sole elementary school in Candler County, serving grades PK-5 with an enrollment of 994 students in a district that ranks in the 45th percentile statewide.
Metter Elementary has maintained a stable, mid-range ranking over the past three years, sitting between the 42nd and 45th percentile of Georgia elementary schools. The school serves a student population where 100% qualify for free/reduced lunch, and it invests $15,224 per student with a favorable 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Chronic absenteeism is a bright spot at 12.5%, significantly better than the state average of 17.7%. Academically, the school shows relative strength in 5th grade science, with proficiency rates near or above state averages in both 2024-2025 (47.3% vs. 43.8% statewide) and 2025-2026 (42.2% vs. 44.2%). The most dramatic finding was in 5th grade math for 2024-2025, where 50.7% of students were proficient—exceeding the state average by 8.1 points—though this dropped to 31.9% in 2025-2026, suggesting a possible cohort effect.
Despite these strengths, significant achievement gaps persist in earlier grades. In 2025-2026, 3rd grade math proficiency was 35.8% (12.5 points below the state) and 4th grade was 39.9% (10.2 points below). The most recent ELA data from 2024-2025 shows 3rd grade proficiency at just 23.2%, trailing the state by 11.7 points, with similar gaps in 4th and 5th grades. While the math gap narrowed between 2024-2025 and 2025-2026, it remains substantial. For parents, this school offers a stable, well-funded environment with strong attendance and small class sizes, but families should be aware that academic proficiency in core subjects, particularly in early grades, lags state averages. The school's consistent ranking suggests a reliable educational foundation, though targeted support in math and reading may be beneficial for students in grades 3 and 4.
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