Middle Schools in Lowndes County

The three middle schools in Lowndes County—Hahira Middle School, Lowndes Middle School, and Pine Grove Middle School—serve grades 6-8 in a district ranked in the 93rd percentile statewide, with all three schools exceeding state averages in most subjects.

Hahira Middle School is the clear standout, earning a 5-star rating and ranking 18th in the state (97th percentile). It has improved its ranking by 26 positions over two years and leads the group in nearly every metric, including 7th grade math proficiency at 75.2% (33 points above the state average) and a 100% pass rate in Algebra I. Pine Grove Middle School sits in the middle with a 4-star rating (75th percentile), but its ranking has slipped from 80th to 145th over two years, with notable declines in math and science proficiency. Lowndes Middle School ranks lowest (73rd percentile, 4 stars) and faces the biggest challenges, including a 20.4% chronic absenteeism rate—well above the district (13.2%) and state (17.7%)—and serves a student population where 100% qualify for free/reduced lunch.

All three schools post exceptional results in advanced coursework, with Algebra I proficiency between 93-100% and high school physical science proficiency above 85%, far exceeding state averages. However, spending does not predict performance: Lowndes Middle School spends the most per student ($13,395) yet has the lowest scores, while Hahira Middle School spends the least ($11,687) and achieves the best results. The district overall outperforms the state across all grade levels and subjects, but the gap between Hahira and the other two schools is widening, particularly in science and math. For parents, Hahira offers the strongest academics and momentum, Pine Grove remains solid but is trending downward, and Lowndes provides adequate performance despite significant socioeconomic and attendance hurdles.