Summary:
Upson-Lee Middle School is the sole middle school serving grades 6-8 in Thomaston-Upson County, a single-district area in west-central Georgia with about 894 students enrolled.
This school presents a striking contrast in academic performance. Students in advanced coursework are exceptional: 97.2% of Algebra I test-takers scored proficient or better, more than double the district average and nearly 50 points above the state, while 85.4% of 8th graders in High School Physical Science also far exceeded state proficiency. However, students in standard grade-level classes lag behind. Only 38.2% of 6th graders, 36.8% of 7th graders, and 39.0% of 8th graders met math proficiency, compared to state rates of 40.7%, 42.0%, and 46.3% respectively. Science (16.4%) and social studies (24.6%) proficiency for 8th graders are particularly low, trailing state averages by 13 and 16 points. The school's statewide ranking has improved significantly, jumping from the 32nd percentile in 2023-2024 to the 46th percentile in 2025-2026, likely driven by the strong advanced-course results.
Chronic absenteeism stands at 19.7%, slightly above the state's 17.7%, which may contribute to the proficiency gaps in standard classes. On the positive side, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1 and spends $12,953 per student. The dramatic 30.5-point jump in Algebra I proficiency from 66.7% to 97.2% in one year suggests recent changes in course placement or instruction are working well for accelerated learners. For parents, this school offers outstanding opportunities for high-achieving students ready for advanced math and science, but families should be aware that the general curriculum, especially in science and social studies, currently underperforms state averages. The school's rapid ranking improvement indicates positive momentum, though replicating advanced-course success across all subjects remains the key challenge ahead.
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