High Schools in McIntosh County

McIntosh Academy is the sole high school in McIntosh County, serving grades 9-12 in Darien, GA, with 389 students and a 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio.

This school stands out for its exceptional graduation rate of 98.1% for 2024-2025, which is nearly 11 points above the state average of 87.2%. This is particularly notable given that 95.37% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, indicating a high-poverty population. However, academic proficiency on state Milestones assessments trails state averages in most subjects. For 2025-2026, Algebra I proficiency is 31.4% (state: 48.1%), Biology is 33.4% (state: 47.2%), and US History is 38.0% (state: 38.5%). The most dramatic change is a 10.5-point drop in Biology proficiency from the prior year, while the state average improved. US History is a relative strength, nearly matching the state average. The school’s state ranking has been volatile, moving from 283rd to 203rd and back to 264th over three years.

Chronic absenteeism is a concern at 20.7%, higher than both the district (19.0%) and state (17.7%)—roughly 80 students missing significant instructional time. Per-student spending is robust at $15,482, and the small class sizes allow for personalized attention, yet these resources have not closed the proficiency gaps. The high graduation rate despite academic challenges suggests strong support systems, credit recovery, or alternative pathways that help students persist. English Language Arts (ELA) scores are not included in this release and will be available in December; no conclusions should be drawn about ELA performance from current data. For parents, this school offers a supportive environment that gets students to graduation, but standardized test scores indicate room for growth in core subjects.