Calhoun County High School

Calhoun County High School is a small, rural high school in Edison, GA, serving 146 students in grades 9-12, where 89% of students are economically disadvantaged. Despite its 1-star rating and ranking 345th out of 455 Georgia high schools, this school shows a unique mix of strengths and challenges that parents should understand.

The most encouraging news is the school's graduation rate of 91.5% for 2024-2025, which beats the state average of 87.2% and outpaces nearby Early County High School (87.9%). Calhoun County also stands out for its lower chronic absenteeism rate of 20.0%, far better than Early County's 34.6% and close to the state average. The school invests heavily in its students, spending $19,988 per pupil with a favorable 11.8-to-1 student-teacher ratio—more generous than either Early County or Randolph Clay High School. In U.S. History, Calhoun County students posted a 31.8% proficiency rate, more than double Early County's 13.1% and slightly above Randolph Clay's 29.1%.

However, test scores in core subjects remain below state averages. For example, Biology proficiency is 19.4% and Algebra I is 28.6%, though both represent dramatic improvements from just two years ago (3.1% and 8.6%, respectively). This recovery mirrors the school's ranking rebound from the 7th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 24th percentile in 2025-2026. The Calhoun County district holds a 1-star rating, but the school's subgroup rank for African American students (44th percentile) is notably stronger than its overall rank, suggesting it serves its core demographic relatively well. Parents should note the "graduation vs. proficiency" paradox: students are graduating at high rates, but many may not yet be mastering college and career readiness standards—a key area to watch as recent improvements continue.