Summary:
Dodge County Schools in Eastman, Georgia, serves about 2,659 students across five schools—two elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools—in a district where nearly all students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The district ranks 154th out of 201 Georgia districts with a 1-star rating, but individual schools show wide variation in performance and engagement.
Dodge County High School is the district's standout, maintaining a 2-star rating for three straight years with a 96.7% graduation rate—nearly 10 points above the state—and a chronic absenteeism rate of 9.4%, less than half the state average. Its test scores, however, lag state averages by 12-18 points in Algebra, Biology, and US History. Dodge County Elementary School shows momentum, improving its state ranking to the 46th percentile, with 4th grade math proficiency at 43.5% and an impressively low 5.3% chronic absenteeism rate. In contrast, DAC (Dodge County Achievement Center) faces severe challenges: a 0-star rating, a 51:1 student-teacher ratio, 33.9% chronic absenteeism, and 0% proficiency in multiple subjects despite receiving the highest per-student funding ($17,145). Dodge County Middle School struggles most in 8th grade Social Studies (20.1% proficiency, 20 points below the state), while Dodge County Primary School has a 17.1% chronic absenteeism rate—more than three times higher than the elementary school serving the same students in later grades.
Notably, the district's overall chronic absenteeism (11.2%) is well below the state average, suggesting strong family engagement despite economic hardship. However, spending does not correlate with outcomes: the highest-funded school (DAC) performs worst, while the lowest-funded (Dodge County High) performs best. The high school's Biology proficiency also swung dramatically from 50.8% to 35.3% in one year, warranting investigation. For parents, Dodge County High and Elementary offer the most stable environments, while the Achievement Center's structural issues—not just funding—need urgent attention.
Thank you for your feedback!