Summary:
Jackson County Schools serves approximately 10,180 students across 12 schools in northeastern Georgia, including 7 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 2 high schools, and holds a strong 4-star district rating (81st percentile statewide).
For parents, the standout elementary school is Gum Springs Elementary School, which ranks in the 86th percentile statewide and posts an exceptional 81.5% proficiency in 4th grade math—more than 21 points above the district average. It also has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate among elementary schools (7.4%). At the middle school level, West Jackson Middle School and Legacy Knoll Middle School are the top performers, with Algebra I proficiency rates of 89.9% and 94%, respectively—far exceeding the district average of 51.1%. Jackson County High School maintains a 4-star rating with a 93% graduation rate, while East Jackson Comprehensive High School graduates an impressive 97.5% of its students, though it struggles with a 26.7% chronic absenteeism rate—the highest in the district.
Notable patterns include a clear link between socioeconomic status and performance: the highest-achieving schools like Gum Springs and West Jackson have free/reduced lunch rates below 35%, while Maysville Elementary School (78.4% free/reduced lunch) shows mixed results despite the highest per-student spending ($17,195). North Jackson Elementary School shows a dramatic turnaround in 3rd grade math, jumping from 36.9% to 49.3% proficiency. The district's only weakness is 8th grade Physical Science, where it trails the state average (51.9% vs. 60.9%). Overall, the district is on an upward trajectory, with several schools improving their state rankings, and it consistently outperforms state averages in math, science, and graduation rates—making it a solid choice for families seeking above-average academic outcomes.
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