Clinch County

Clinch County is a small, rural district in southern Georgia near the Florida border, serving about 1,242 students across three schools—an elementary school (PK–5), a middle school (6–8), and a high school (9–12)—all sharing a single campus in Homerville. The district overall earns a 2-star rating, and all three schools serve very high-poverty populations, with 100% of elementary and middle school students and 91% of high school students qualifying for free/reduced lunch.

Clinch County High School is the district’s standout performer. Its 88.6% graduation rate tops the state average of 87.2%, and its Biology proficiency (47.3%) essentially matches the state average—the only test score in the district to reach that benchmark. The high school also boasts a chronic absenteeism rate of just 6.2%, less than half the state’s 17.7%, and its state ranking improved from 267th to 242nd. Clinch County Elementary School shows strong momentum, particularly in 4th grade math, where 55% of students are proficient—the highest score in the district and nearly 5 points above the state average. That represents a remarkable 17.4-point jump from the prior year. However, Clinch County Middle School is the district’s biggest challenge, with the lowest ranking of the three schools and an 8th grade science proficiency rate of just 13.9%, less than half the state average.

Attendance is a clear district-wide strength—all three schools have chronic absenteeism rates well below the state average, and the high school’s rate is among the best in Georgia. Yet test scores consistently lag state averages by 10 to 25 points, with the exception of 4th grade math and high school Biology. The middle school years appear to be a critical drop-off point, as strong elementary performance gives way to much lower middle school scores. The district also shows a resource imbalance: the high school spends $17,253 per student, while the middle school spends just $12,612 despite having the greatest academic need. Overall, Clinch County demonstrates strong student engagement and community support, but faces persistent academic challenges tied to rural poverty that will require targeted interventions, especially in the middle grades.