Jeff Davis Elementary School

Jeff Davis Elementary School in Hazlehurst, GA, serves 711 students in grades 3 through 5 as part of the Jeff Davis County district, and has earned a 3-star rating while climbing from the 49th to the 58th percentile statewide over the past few years.

This school shows real strengths in early-grade math. In the most recent testing cycle, 57.3% of 3rd graders and 55.2% of 4th graders scored proficient or above in math—both well ahead of state averages (48.3% and 50.1%). That pattern has held for three straight years. The school also stands out for its work with African American students, who rank in the 71st percentile statewide (a 4-star rating), and Hispanic students in the 69th percentile. Chronic absenteeism has dropped from 20.9% to 16.7% over the same period, now below the state average of 17.7%—a notable achievement for a school where 100% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school spends $11,647 per student, less than nearby schools, yet still outperforms Telfair County Elementary (44th percentile) and West Green Elementary School (34th percentile) in nearly every subject.

The biggest challenge is 5th grade. Math proficiency drops sharply to 38.7% (vs. 44.1% statewide), and science trails at 36.7% (vs. 44.2% statewide)—both gaps persisting for three years. This is especially striking because the same cohort of students scored well above average in 3rd and 4th grade. Nearby Appling County Elementary School (77th percentile) outperforms Jeff Davis in 5th grade math and science, while Altamaha Elementary School (59th percentile) shows the opposite pattern—strong 5th grade math but weaker 4th grade math. If Jeff Davis can carry its early-grade momentum into 5th grade, its overall ranking would likely improve substantially. For parents, this is a school on an upward trajectory with clear strengths in early grades and a specific area—5th grade math and science—that deserves attention.