Fitzgerald High School School College and Career Academy

Fitzgerald High School School College and Career Academy serves approximately 870 students in grades 9-12 in Fitzgerald, Georgia, as part of the Ben Hill County school district. The school currently holds a 1-star rating and ranks in the 18th percentile statewide, a decline from its 43rd percentile ranking a decade ago.

The most encouraging news for parents is the school's graduation rate, which has consistently outperformed the state for five straight years. In 2024-2025, 90.8% of students graduated, compared to 87.2% statewide. The school has also made dramatic progress on attendance: chronic absenteeism dropped from 26.0% to 17.8% in a single year, now matching the state average and beating nearby Tift County High School (29.8%) and Irwin County High School (22.3%). However, test scores remain a concern. Only 23.6% of students scored proficient in Algebra I, 29.9% in Biology, and 12.8% in U.S. History—all well below state averages. Scores have also been volatile year to year, making it hard to predict performance. The contrast with Irwin County High School, just 6.5 miles away, is stark: Irwin County posts 59.2% proficiency in Algebra I and ranks in the 65th percentile, despite serving a similar student population.

Parents should know that the school's "Career Academy" designation suggests a focus on career and technical pathways, which may help explain the strong graduation rates even when test scores lag. The school spends $13,320 per student, less than Irwin County's $15,349 but more than Tift County's $10,926. The recent attendance improvement shows the school can change course, and building on that momentum may be key to reversing the academic decline. For families weighing options, it's worth asking how the school plans to translate its graduation success into stronger academic preparation.