Summary:
Habersham County is home to two high schools—Habersham Central High School, a large traditional school serving grades 9-12 with about 1,600 students, and Habersham Success Academy, a small alternative school serving grades 6-12 with just 75 students.
Habersham Central High School is the district's flagship, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 80th percentile statewide for three consecutive years. Its graduation rate is exceptional at 98%, well above the state's 87.2%. The school shines in US History, where 56.3% of students are proficient versus 38.5% statewide. However, Algebra I proficiency is alarmingly low at just 2.9%, compared to the district's 57.2%—a massive gap that warrants immediate investigation. Chronic absenteeism affects 21.3% of students, higher than the state average of 17.7%. In contrast, Habersham Success Academy serves a much higher-need population, with 100% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch and a 43.7% chronic absenteeism rate. Despite these challenges, it still graduates 93.3% of students—above the state average—though its test proficiency rates lag significantly, with just 27.8% proficient in US History.
The two schools present a striking contrast in resources and outcomes. Habersham Success Academy spends 61% more per student ($17,950 vs. $11,167) yet has a higher student-teacher ratio (28.8:1 vs. 17.4:1), suggesting funds go toward specialized services rather than smaller classes. The district overall earns a 4-star rating and outperforms the state in Biology, US History, and graduation rates. Note that English Language Arts scores are not yet available and will be released in December. For parents, Habersham Central offers strong overall academics and graduation outcomes, but the Algebra I issue and elevated absenteeism are concerns worth exploring.
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