Summary:
Stewart County High School is the only high school in Stewart County, serving grades 9–12 in the small rural community of Lumpkin, Georgia, with just 114 students enrolled.
This is a school of striking contrasts. On one hand, it posts exceptional engagement numbers: a perfect 100% graduation rate (compared to 87.2% statewide) and a chronic absenteeism rate of just 4.3% — less than a quarter of the state average of 17.7%. These figures suggest a school where students show up and stay on track to earn diplomas. On the other hand, academic proficiency on state Milestones tests lags behind Georgia averages in most subjects. In 2025–2026, only 25.0% of students were proficient in Algebra I, 27.5% in Biology, and 21.7% in U.S. History, compared to state rates of 48.1%, 47.2%, and 38.5%, respectively. The school’s overall ranking reflects this: it sits at 360th out of 455 Georgia high schools (21st percentile, 1-star rating), down from a 2-star, 37th-percentile showing the prior year.
Notably, the school invests heavily in its students — spending $27,380 per pupil with a very low 8.7:1 student-teacher ratio — yet test scores remain below state benchmarks. This is likely tied to the high poverty level, as 86.84% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch. The small cohort size also creates volatility; Algebra I proficiency swung from 48.5% (above the state) in 2024–2025 to 25.0% the next year. For parents, this school offers a supportive, close-knit environment with strong graduation and attendance outcomes, but academic proficiency is an area of concern. ELA scores, not yet released, will provide a fuller picture this December.
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