Charlton County

Charlton County Schools is a four-school district in southeast Georgia serving roughly 1,600 students in grades PK-12, with two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The district overall earns a 4-star rating, and despite high poverty levels—with free/reduced lunch rates between 76% and 99%—it consistently outperforms state averages in several key areas.

The district’s elementary schools are its clear strength. Folkston Elementary School posts strong math scores, with 83.5% of 4th graders proficient versus a 50.1% state average, and has climbed from the 32nd percentile a decade ago to the mid-80s today. St. George Elementary School is the standout, earning a 5-star rating and ranking in the 95th percentile statewide despite being the smallest school with just 198 students. Its 2024-2025 results were exceptional—96.2% proficiency in 3rd grade math—though scores dropped sharply in 2025-2026, illustrating the volatility that comes with small cohorts. Both schools far exceed state averages in elementary math, giving the district a strong academic foundation.

Middle and high school performance is more mixed. Bethune Middle School struggles with 8th grade math (38.1% proficiency versus a 46.3% state average) but excels in 8th grade science, beating the state by 10 points. Charlton County High School posts an impressive 96.6% graduation rate—well above the state’s 87.2%—yet its Algebra I proficiency is just 24.8%, a significant gap that suggests students may graduate without college-ready math skills. The high school also saw its overall rating drop from 3 stars to 2 stars. Chronic absenteeism is below state averages at three of four schools, and the district’s per-student spending ranges from $13,639 at Folkston to $16,530 at the high school, raising questions about resource allocation given the high school’s weaker outcomes.