Dodge County Middle School

Dodge County Middle School in Eastman, GA, serves 596 students in grades 6-8 and is the largest middle school among its immediate regional peers, operating within the Dodge County district.

One of the most encouraging findings is the school's strong attendance record. With a chronic absenteeism rate of just 12.2%, Dodge County Middle School significantly outperforms the state average of 17.7% and is far better than nearby Pulaski County Middle School (28.4%) and Telfair County Middle School (26.8%). The school has cut its absenteeism rate nearly in half over the past five years, from 20.1% to 12.2%, showing that students are consistently showing up ready to learn. Another bright spot is Algebra I performance: in 2022-2023, 80% of tested students scored proficient or better—more than double the state average. However, academic proficiency in core subjects like math, science, and social studies remains below state averages. For example, 8th-grade social studies proficiency is 20.1% compared to 40.2% statewide. The school also shows a notable gender gap, with male students ranking in the 37th percentile statewide while female students rank in the 19th percentile.

Compared to Bleckley Middle School—just 16 miles away—Dodge County trails significantly in every subject, despite spending more per student ($13,179 vs. $12,589). Meanwhile, Telfair County Middle School has shown remarkable improvement, jumping over 100 spots in state rankings and now outperforming Dodge County in every subject, even with a much higher absenteeism rate. Dodge County's student-teacher ratio of 12.7 is favorable, and the school has seen a rapid increase in economic need, with 100% of students now qualifying for free/reduced lunch. The school's success in keeping students in class provides a strong foundation, but translating that engagement into academic gains remains the key challenge ahead.