High Schools in Pulaski County

Hawkinsville High School is the only high school in Pulaski County, serving grades 9–12 with 388 students in a rural, high-poverty area where every student qualifies for free or reduced lunch.

Because there is just one high school, all district-level metrics mirror the school’s performance. Hawkinsville High School stands out for its strong graduation rate of 91.3%, which beats the state average of 87.2%, and its low dropout rate of 2.7%. However, academic proficiency on End of Course tests is a major concern. In the most recent year, only 22.6% of students were proficient in Algebra I, 20.6% in Biology, and 17.2% in U.S. History — all roughly 20 to 27 percentage points below state averages. The school’s state ranking has fallen sharply, from the 49th percentile in 2023–2024 to the 13th percentile in 2025–2026, dropping 161 positions in two years. Chronic absenteeism is also high at 32.0%, nearly double the state rate of 17.7%, which likely contributes to the academic struggles.

There are some bright spots and areas for targeted improvement. Algebra I proficiency dropped dramatically from 35.1% to 22.6% in one year, while Biology remained stagnant at 20.6%. U.S. History improved slightly from 14.5% to 17.2%. The school spends $12,386 per student and has a reasonable 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio, suggesting resources are not the primary barrier. The biggest opportunities are addressing chronic absenteeism and reversing the Algebra I decline. Despite the academic challenges, the school’s ability to graduate students at a rate above the state average — even with 100% economic disadvantage — is a notable strength. Parents should know that while test scores are low, the school is keeping students on track to graduate, and targeted support in math and attendance could make a meaningful difference.