Summary:
Columbia County is home to five public high schools—Grovetown, Greenbrier, Lakeside, Evans, and Harlem—serving grades 9-12 and enrolling roughly 9,170 students in the Augusta suburbs. This is a strong district overall, ranking 17th out of 201 in Georgia with a 5-star rating, and every school exceeds the state graduation rate of 87.2%.
Greenbrier High School is the clear standout, ranking 33rd in the state (93rd percentile, 5 stars) and leading the district in nearly every category: a 97.9% graduation rate, the lowest chronic absenteeism (12.7%), and top proficiency scores in Algebra I (55.8%), Biology (76.9%), and U.S. History (68.0%). Evans High School is the most improved, jumping 63 spots to 65th in the state, with strong gains in Biology (65.8%) and U.S. History (56.5%), though it has the district's highest chronic absenteeism at 19.9%. Lakeside High School (108th) and Grovetown High School (157th) sit in the middle, with Lakeside posting a solid 93.2% graduation rate but struggling in Algebra I (28.8%). Harlem High School ranks lowest at 165th, with an Algebra I proficiency of just 14.3%, though it improved 39 spots and shows gains in U.S. History.
Biology is the district's strongest subject—all five schools beat the state average of 47.2%—while Algebra I is a clear weakness for Lakeside, Grovetown, and Harlem. There is a notable socioeconomic divide: Greenbrier has the lowest free/reduced lunch rate (16.4%) and performs best, while Grovetown and Harlem have the highest rates (over 42%) and rank lowest. Per-student spending varies little ($10,077–$10,863) and does not track with performance. Dropout rates are minimal (1.1–1.5% vs. 2.4% statewide), and all schools exceed state graduation benchmarks, making this a reliable district for families seeking strong outcomes, with Greenbrier and Evans leading the way.
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