Elementary Schools in Early County

Early County Elementary School is the only elementary school in Early County, serving grades PK through 6 in Blakely, GA, with 758 students and a 100% free/reduced lunch population.

This school faces significant academic challenges, with proficiency rates well below state averages in nearly every subject and grade. The most concerning area is 6th grade math, where only 6.3% of students are proficient—a dramatic 34.4-point gap from the state average and a steep drop from the 5th grade rate of 20.9%. This pattern persisted from the prior year (6.1% in 6th grade), indicating a real transition problem. English Language Arts scores from 2024-2025 (the most recent available) also lag, with gaps widening from 12 points in 3rd grade to 27.4 points in 6th grade. The school's statewide ranking has improved slightly, from the 16th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 17th percentile in 2025-2026, though it remains in the bottom fifth of Georgia elementary schools.

There are some bright spots. Fifth grade science proficiency (37.2%) is only 7 points below the state average—the smallest gap of any subject—and 5th grade math improved by 6.3 percentage points year-over-year. The school spends $15,945 per student with an 11:1 student-teacher ratio, yet these resources haven't translated into stronger outcomes. Chronic absenteeism stands at 19%, above the state rate of 17.7% but below the district's 24.8%. Given that all students face economic disadvantage, targeted interventions around the middle-grade transition, attendance, and evidence-based math instruction could help address the persistent achievement gaps.