Dooly County

Dooly County is a small, rural Georgia district with three schools—an elementary school (PK-5), a middle school (6-8), and a high school (9-12)—serving about 1,066 students, and it currently ranks in the bottom 5% of Georgia districts.

Among the three schools, Dooly County Middle School stands out as the district’s most improved performer. It has climbed from the 9th to the 18th percentile in state rankings over the past two years, and it is the only school in the district to earn a star rating. Math proficiency improved across all three middle school grades, though scores still trail state averages by roughly 20 points. In contrast, Dooly County Elementary School shows the most inconsistent results, with math proficiency swinging dramatically by grade level—from 10.5% in 3rd grade to 26.8% in 4th grade. Dooly County High School posts the district’s best graduation rate at 91.3%, above the state average, but its End-of-Course exam scores are extremely low, including a 0% proficiency rate in US History.

Chronic absenteeism is a major concern, especially at the secondary level: 33.5% of high school students and 26.3% of middle school students are chronically absent, compared to the state average of 17.7%. The elementary school matches the state average at 17.7%. Spending is notably high—the middle school spends $22,006 per student—yet achievement remains far below state norms, suggesting resources alone aren’t driving results. The district’s high graduation rate despite very low test scores points to possible grading or credit recovery practices that don’t require demonstrated proficiency. Overall, Dooly County faces systemic challenges tied to poverty and absenteeism, but the middle school’s steady upward trend offers a genuine bright spot for families considering this district.