Jeff Davis Middle School

Jeff Davis Middle School in Hazlehurst, GA, serves 675 students in grades 6 through 8 and is part of the highly rated Jeff Davis County district, which holds a 4-star rating and ranks in the top quarter of Georgia districts.

This school has shown remarkable, steady improvement over the past decade, climbing from a 2-star rating in the mid-2010s to a consistent 4-star performer today—now ranking 131st out of 578 Georgia middle schools. The strongest standout is mathematics: proficiency rates beat state averages at every grade level, with the advantage growing as students advance (8th grade math hit 58.3% proficient vs. 46.3% statewide). Social studies is another clear strength, with 8th graders scoring 16.4 points above the state average. The school also excels with English Language Learner students, ranking in the 92nd percentile statewide—a remarkable achievement. Hispanic students also perform well above average, ranking in the 87th percentile. Chronic absenteeism has improved significantly, dropping from 29% to 21.1% over three years, though it remains slightly above the state average.

Compared to nearby Appling County Middle School, the two schools are nearly identical in math performance, and Jeff Davis holds an edge in social studies. Appling County outperforms in 8th grade science (46.3% vs. 36.6%) and has a lower chronic absenteeism rate (16.1% vs. 21.1%). Jeff Davis actually spends less per student ($12,210 vs. $13,150) while achieving comparable results in most subjects. While English Language Arts scores have historically trailed state averages—a gap most notable in 7th grade—the school's overall trajectory suggests strong systems are in place for continued growth. For parents, this is a school that has clearly figured out how to help students succeed in math and social studies, and it's making meaningful progress in other areas.