Bainbridge Middle School

Bainbridge Middle School in Bainbridge, GA, serves approximately 793 students in grades 6-8 within the Decatur County district, a school that has maintained a consistent 2-star rating while showing recent improvement in its statewide ranking.

The most impressive highlight is the school's Algebra I program. In 2025-2026, 94.8% of students scored proficient or better—nearly double the state average of 48.1% and more than triple the district average of 28.8%. This follows a perfect 100% proficiency rate the prior year. Eighth-grade science is another bright spot, with 39.7% proficiency exceeding the state average by 10 points and dramatically outpacing Washington Middle School in nearby Grady County, which sits at just 10.9%. However, grade-level math tells a different story: only 25-33% of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders are proficient, lagging state averages by 13-15 points. This suggests the school excels at accelerating top students but struggles with the broader population. Social studies also trails the state (31.5% vs. 40.2%), though it has improved significantly over two years.

Chronic absenteeism remains the school's biggest challenge. At 31.3%, the rate is nearly double the state average of 17.7% and more than double Washington Middle School's 14.7%, though it has improved from 44.5% last year. The school serves a predominantly low-income population, with 100% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. On a positive note, Hispanic students rank in the 65th percentile statewide—the highest subgroup at the school—while per-student spending has risen to $13,486 and the student-teacher ratio improved to 12.2. These investments appear to be paying off, as the school's ranking climbed from the 31st to the 46th percentile, its best showing in a decade. Reducing absenteeism—affecting nearly one in three students—will be key to unlocking further gains.