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Test scores delayed: 2026 rankings for Georgia do not yet include English Language Arts scores, which will not be released by the Georgia Department of Education until winter 2026.

Howard High School

Q: Is Howard High School a good school?

Howard High School ranks 294 th of 455 Georgia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

294^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 455 Georgia High Schools

Better than 35% of Georgia high schools

Summary

Howard High School in Macon, GA, is a comprehensive public high school serving 1,145 students in grades 9-12 within the Bibb County School District. The school has earned a 2-star rating and ranks in the 35th percentile statewide, making it the highest-performing traditional high school in its district.

Howard has shown steady improvement over the past several years, climbing from the 14th percentile in 2020-2021 to its current 35th percentile ranking. The school's graduation rate jumped from 82.5% to 88.5% in a single year, now exceeding the state average. Most notably, Howard's Biology proficiency rate reached 38.8%—nearly double the district average of 22.2% and a dramatic 10-point improvement from the previous year. The school also outperforms its district peers in U.S. History (28.6% vs. 19.2% district average) and Algebra I (23.1% vs. 22.0%). In fact, Howard is the only high school in Bibb County that exceeds district averages across all three tested subjects. The school also demonstrates strong results for specific student groups, with White students ranking in the 55th percentile and English Language Learners in the 53rd percentile statewide.

Despite these academic gains, Howard faces a significant challenge with chronic absenteeism—approximately 36% of students are chronically absent, more than double the state average of 17.7%. This is particularly striking given the school's improving test scores, suggesting that students who attend regularly are performing well. When compared to nearby schools, Jones County High School (59th percentile) and Mary Persons High School (84th percentile) outperform Howard in most subjects, though Howard's per-student spending of $13,469 is lower than several district peers while achieving better outcomes. The school's upward trajectory, strong Biology program, and improving graduation rate suggest it is building momentum, though addressing absenteeism and supporting Hispanic students (who currently rank in the 8th percentile) remain key opportunities for continued growth.

1,145

Students ?

15.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,469

Per pupil spending ?

48.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

6400 Forsyth Rd
Macon, GA 31210

(478) 779-7852

District: Bibb County

Feeder schools for Howard High School:

Elementary:	Carter Elementary School
	Lane Elementary School
	Springdale Elementary School
Middle:	Howard Middle School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

71.2%

White:

11.5%

Hispanic:

7.6%

See top rated Georgia high schools

Compare Howard High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 14th percentile in 2021 → 35th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 35th (2026) from a 14th-percentile low (2021)

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Bibb County

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Georgia average (30% vs 45% meeting standards)

!High chronic absenteeism (36% vs 18% Georgia)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school30%

District avg21%

Georgia avg45%

294^th of 455

Georgia public high schools ?

Bottom 35%▼ down 7 pts since 2016

From bottom 42% (2016) to bottom 35% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Georgia High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 6High Schools in the Bibb County

164^th of 201Bibb County among Georgia districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	28.7	294 of 455	35.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	24.6	332 of 451	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	23.6	332 of 454	26.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	21.5	340 of 448	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	21.7	329 of 431	23.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	16.8	351 of 410	14.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	37.0	246 of 438	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	32.6	267 of 428	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2017	34.8	242 of 420	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2016	35.0	247 of 426	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2015	39.6	227 of 435	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2014	51.2	203 of 425	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2013	45.5	244 of 425	42.6%	★★☆☆☆
2012	42.3	249 of 396	37.1%	★★☆☆☆
2011	53.0	198 of 402	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2010	48.5	204 of 384	46.9%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	36.7	194 of 376	48.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	34.5	223 of 391	43.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	30.6	251 of 382	34.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	25.7	290 of 384	24.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	24.8	289 of 372	22.3%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	44.3	82 of 173	52.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	31.5	128 of 180	28.9%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	28.4	295 of 431	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	29.2	296 of 438	32.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	23.5	326 of 435	25.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	20.7	342 of 433	21.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	19.8	347 of 430	19.3%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	15.3	273 of 298	8.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	12.7	292 of 312	6.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	20.8	270 of 315	14.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	15.7	279 of 308	9.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	29.3	213 of 295	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	28.2	295 of 436	32.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	20.7	346 of 442	21.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	23.1	326 of 436	25.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	22.0	340 of 436	22.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	23.0	320 of 427	25.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2025	31.4	108 of 149	27.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	34.5	106 of 158	32.9%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	42.2	182 of 338	46.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	31.7	233 of 347	32.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	23.1	292 of 344	15.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	41.1	176 of 343	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	22.9	278 of 331	16.0%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	45.7	150 of 334	55.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	44.8	156 of 341	54.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	36.4	197 of 346	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	47.7	144 of 343	58.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	32.9	210 of 339	38.1%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

White (2026)55th percentile+20 vs school

English Language Learner (2026)53rd percentile+17 vs school

African American (2026)48th percentile+13 vs school

Special Education (2026)46th percentile+11 vs school

Male (2026)32nd percentile-3 vs school

Female (2026)32nd percentile-4 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)28th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2026)8th percentile-27 vs school

By subject vs Georgia (2025-2026) ?

Biology39%-8 vs state

United States History29%-10 vs state

Algebra I23%-25 vs state

4.0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, March 21, 2012

My kids have had a great experience at Howard! The principal is great, open, honest and a man of integrity who is respected and liked by his staff. Teachers are helpful and seem to have mastery of subjects taught. The music dept.(choral and symphony) is the best I've ever seen - college caliber. This staff is keeping its head up, staying focused, and forging onward and upward, despite low morale system-wide with the current goings-on in our district. Close Quote

Schools Near Howard High School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				Milestones Assessment Algebra I (2026)	Milestones Assessment Biology (2026)	Milestones Assessment United States History (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Milestones Assessment Algebra I End of Course	Milestones Assessment Biology End of Course	Milestones Assessment United States History End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Howard High School	Public	9-12	6400 Forsyth Rd	Macon	31210	Bibb County	Bibb County	No	No	No	Yes	(478) 779-7852	1,145	73	15.6	48.8%	132 (11.5%)	815 (71.2%)	87 (7.6%)	35 (3.1%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	72 (6.3%)	28.7	294^th of 455 public high schools	35.4%		24.6	332^nd of 451 public high schools	26.4%	38	23.1	38.8	28.6	$13,469	$1,420	$12,049
Westside High School	Public	9-12	2851 Heath Rd	Macon	31206	Bibb County	Bibb County	No	No	No	Yes	(478) 779-3800	1,013	58	17.3	61.6%	31 (3.1%)	837 (82.6%)	97 (9.6%)	9 (0.9%)	4 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (3.5%)	9	415^th of 455 public high schools	8.8%		7.7	424^th of 451 public high schools	6.0%	9	18.1	10.5	12.4	$13,314	$1,715	$11,599
Central High School	Public	9-12	2155 Napier Ave	Macon	31204	Bibb County	Bibb County	No	No	No	Yes	(478) 779-2292	892	58	15.4	55.5%	56 (6.3%)	758 (85.0%)	38 (4.3%)	10 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	29 (3.3%)	17.8	367^th of 455 public high schools	19.3%		29.2	303^rd of 451 public high schools	32.8%	64	20.2	29.2	18.5	$14,706	$1,641	$13,064
Southwest High School	Public	9-12	1775 Williamson Rd	Macon	31206	Bibb County	Bibb County	No	No	No	Yes	(478) 779-4459	860	52	16.5	70.6%	14 (1.6%)	792 (92.1%)	42 (4.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (1.3%)	5.6	435^th of 455 public high schools	4.4%		6.5	430^th of 451 public high schools	4.7%	5	9.9	8.0	4.8	$14,249	$1,690	$12,558
Northeast High School	Public	9-12	1646 Upper River Rd	Macon	31211	Bibb County	Bibb County	No	No	No	Yes	(478) 779-4157	794	52	15.2	63.6%	19 (2.4%)	739 (93.1%)	15 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (2.5%)	8.9	418^th of 455 public high schools	8.1%		8.3	421^st of 451 public high schools	6.7%	3	15.5	17.0	7.6	$15,152	$1,778	$13,375
Rutland High School	Public	9-12	6250 Skipper Rd	Macon	31216	Bibb County	Bibb County	No	No	No	Yes	(478) 779-3041	921	54	17.1	48.8%	208 (22.6%)	514 (55.8%)	151 (16.4%)	11 (1.2%)	3 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (3.7%)	21.2	352^nd of 455 public high schools	22.6%		25.5	325^th of 451 public high schools	27.9%	27	13.3	24.9	33.3	$13,124	$1,301	$11,823
Mary Persons High School	Public	9-12	310 Montpelier Ave	Forsyth	31029	Monroe County	Monroe County	No	No	No	No	(478) 994-2812	1,323	84	15.7	43.7%	892 (67.4%)	313 (23.7%)	55 (4.2%)	14 (1.1%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	48 (3.6%)	68.3	73^rd of 455 public high schools	84.0%		69.8	85^th of 451 public high schools	81.2%	12	43.4	69.0	49.0	$12,641	$267	$12,374
Macon Youth Development Campus	Public	5-12	4160 Riggins Mill Rd	Macon	31217	Bibb County	Department of Juvenile Justice	No	No	No	Yes	(478) 751-3432	36	5	7.2	69.4%	3 (8.3%)	32 (88.9%)	1 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Macon Regional Youth Detention Center	Public	5-12	4164 Riggins Mill Rd	Macon	31217	Bibb County	Department of Juvenile Justice	No	No	No	Yes	(912) 751-3400	18	5	3.6	83.3%	2 (11.1%)	14 (77.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (11.1%)								(n/a)
Department of Juvenile Justice Bibb ETC	Public	6-12	4160 Riggins Mill Rd	Macon	31217	Bibb County	Department of Juvenile Justice	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(478) 207-1401	0	1	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Howard High School

What schools feed into Howard High School?

Howard High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Carter Elementary School
Elementary : Lane Elementary School
Elementary : Springdale Elementary School
Middle : Howard Middle School

How many students attend Howard High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,145 students attended Howard High School.

What is the racial makeup of Howard High School?

Students at Howard High School are 71% African American, 12% White, 8% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

Is Howard High School a good school?

Howard High School ranks 294^th of 455 Georgia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is Howard High School in?

Bibb County

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Latest Georgia data All new data »

2025–26 attendance dataAug 6, 2026

2025–26 Milestones Assessment scoresAug 6, 2026

2021–22 through 2024–25 Milestones Assessment scores (updated)Aug 6, 2026

2024–25 dropout ratesFeb 19, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Georgia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.