Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Test scores delayed: 2026 rankings for Georgia do not yet include English Language Arts scores, which will not be released by the Georgia Department of Education until winter 2026.

Jefferson High School

Q: Is Jefferson High School a good school?

Jefferson High School ranks 52 nd of 457 Georgia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

52^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 457 Georgia High Schools

Better than 89% of Georgia high schools

Summary

Jefferson High School in Jefferson, GA, serves approximately 1,339 students in grades 9-12 and is part of the highly rated Jefferson City district, which ranks in the 98th percentile statewide. The school has earned a 5-star rating for a decade, and while its statewide rank has shifted from 5th to 52nd in recent years, its core academic results remain strong and stable—suggesting the dip reflects increased competition rather than declining performance.

Jefferson’s test scores are a clear regional standout. In 2025-2026, proficiency rates hit 67.2% in Algebra I, 69.6% in Biology, and 53.8% in U.S. History—all well above state averages (48.1%, 47.2%, and 38.5%, respectively). Compared to nearby schools, the gap is dramatic: Jefferson’s Algebra I proficiency is nearly triple Winder-Barrow High School’s 22.2% and more than double Clarke Central High School’s 23.1%. Only Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy matches Jefferson’s performance, but Jefferson achieves this with a larger, more comprehensive student body. The school also posts a 96.4% graduation rate—nearly 10 points above the state average—and a dropout rate of just 0.8%, far below the 3.2% state figure. Notably, Jefferson ranks in the top 10% statewide for special education students, a rare strength.

Financially, Jefferson is efficient: at $11,677 per student, it spends less than Apalachee High School ($13,226), Banks County High School ($15,107), and Commerce High School ($13,562), yet outperforms them all academically. The main challenges are chronic absenteeism (14.4%, above the district’s 9.5%) and opportunity gaps for Hispanic students, who rank lower than other subgroups. Still, for families seeking a top-tier, cost-effective high school in northeast Georgia, Jefferson offers a compelling combination of rigor, support, and consistency.

1,339

Students ?

16.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,677

Per pupil spending ?

25.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

575 Washington St
Jefferson, GA 30549

(706) 367-2881

District: Jefferson City

Feeder schools for Jefferson High School:

Elementary:	Jefferson Academy
	Jefferson Elementary School
Middle:	Jefferson Middle School

Racial breakdown:

White:

72.2%

Hispanic:

10.5%

African American:

9.7%

See top rated Georgia high schools

Compare Jefferson High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 92nd percentile in 2016 → 89th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Georgia average (65% vs 45% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 11% of Georgia high schools

✓96% graduate in 4 years — above the Georgia average (87%)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school65%

District avg65%

Georgia avg45%

52^nd of 457

Georgia public high schools ?

Top 11%▼ down 3 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Georgia High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

5^th of 202Jefferson City among Georgia districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	76.0	52 of 457	88.6%	★★★★☆
2025	81.6	45 of 451	90.0%	★★★★★
2024	81.1	46 of 454	89.9%	★★★★★
2023	92.6	13 of 448	97.1%	★★★★★
2022	86.5	25 of 431	94.2%	★★★★★
2021	93.3	5 of 410	98.8%	★★★★★
2019	85.5	28 of 438	93.6%	★★★★★
2018	87.4	22 of 428	94.9%	★★★★★
2017	84.5	25 of 420	94.0%	★★★★★
2016	81.0	36 of 426	91.5%	★★★★★
2015	87.0	20 of 435	95.4%	★★★★★
2014	79.9	31 of 425	92.7%	★★★★★
2013	81.2	40 of 425	90.6%	★★★★★
2012	78.9	50 of 396	87.4%	★★★★☆
2011	83.3	38 of 402	90.5%	★★★★★
2010	86.1	24 of 384	93.8%	★★★★★
2009	80.6	41 of 372	89.0%	★★★★☆
2008	80.7	47 of 370	87.3%	★★★★☆
2007	80.9	39 of 358	89.1%	★★★★☆
2006	73.0	54 of 335	83.9%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	65.2	85 of 377	77.5%	★★★★☆
2025	60.1	99 of 391	74.7%	★★★★☆
2024	59.7	106 of 382	72.3%	★★★★☆
2023	75.9	59 of 384	84.6%	★★★★☆
2022	70.5	76 of 372	79.6%	★★★★☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2022	86.2	5 of 82	93.9%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	74.0	54 of 431	87.5%	★★★★☆
2025	84.7	36 of 438	91.8%	★★★★★
2024	80.1	48 of 435	89.0%	★★★★☆
2023	92.8	11 of 433	97.5%	★★★★★
2022	87.9	25 of 430	94.2%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	54.5	95 of 299	68.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	77.9	39 of 312	87.5%	★★★★☆
2024	68.7	61 of 315	80.6%	★★★★☆
2023	86.6	22 of 308	92.9%	★★★★★
2022	83.6	32 of 295	89.2%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	78.9	43 of 436	90.1%	★★★★★
2025	79.3	49 of 442	88.9%	★★★★☆
2024	82.2	46 of 436	89.4%	★★★★☆
2023	92.4	17 of 436	96.1%	★★★★★
2022	92.7	15 of 427	96.5%	★★★★★

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2025	54.5	68 of 149	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	70.9	36 of 141	74.5%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	84.6	32 of 339	90.6%	★★★★★
2025	83.0	37 of 347	89.3%	★★★★☆
2024	88.6	22 of 344	93.6%	★★★★★
2023	86.4	28 of 343	91.8%	★★★★★
2022	87.0	24 of 331	92.7%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	70.2	68 of 334	79.6%	★★★★☆
2025	76.1	58 of 341	83.0%	★★★★☆
2024	72.6	74 of 346	78.6%	★★★★☆
2023	88.0	16 of 343	95.3%	★★★★★
2022	83.9	27 of 339	92.0%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Asian (2022)94th percentile~ school

Special Education (2026)91st percentile~ school

Male (2026)90th percentile~ school

Female (2026)87th percentile~ school

White (2026)80th percentile-9 vs school

African American (2026)77th percentile-11 vs school

Hispanic (2026)68th percentile-20 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)54th percentile-36 vs school

By subject vs Georgia (2025-2026) ?

Biology70%+22 vs state

Algebra I67%+19 vs state

United States History54%+15 vs state

3.0

6 ratings · 6 written reviews

5★3

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★3

Rate Jefferson High School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a parent
Saturday, August 5, 2023

Jefferson City schools is full of drugs, pregnant teens, bullying and useless staff. This is not a school system I would recommend. They manipulate their numbers so the city can increase their tax base. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, February 8, 2017

I love this school system. Close Quote

by a parent
Sunday, July 26, 2015

One doesn't have to worry about much of the disciplinary, influential issues seen or encountered in many other schools. At this school, kids are not only encouraged and expected to prioritize academics first and foremost but the non violent and very inclusive atmosphere allows them to focus on such academics and extra curricular activities (sports, drama and ROTC) One of the best special needs programs i have encountered. Teachers and students are very personable with a small town atmosphere and academic and athletic pride. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, May 22, 2013

It amazes me that no one has done anything to this school on how they treat students.
I have three sons, one that is gifted, one that is an athlete, and one that has special needs. I was told by this school system that they had room for my athlete and gifted children, but they were not suited for my special needs student. As a parent I was outraged. No wonder their numbers look good, if they get to pick and choose who comes and who goes. We do not get to pick our children and we love them ALL for who they are, and this school system should think about doing the same.
I took ALL my children to Jackson County school system, and they were overly acceptance of ALL my children. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, September 8, 2011

Excellent school system. My oldest graduated in 2007 from JHS, went to North Georgia College & State University (NGCSU), graduated cum laude in 3-1/2 years in December 2010, and now has a job paying well above what I would have expected of a college graduate. Jefferson School System gives your children the tools to succeed - they have to use those tools to their advantage. Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, September 5, 2011

jefferson has always manipulated their numbers, the comprehensive school in town is given the pregnant teens, at risk youth and handicapped students. the gordon st. school was recently rezoned out of the jefferson city district into the county. its simple math really. increase your mean number by subtracting negatives, such as students with historically low test scores such as pregnant teens, disabled, at risk etc. jeffrson is a model of despicable politicians trying to increase their tax base. it will catch up with them one day. Close Quote

Schools Near Jefferson High School

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				Milestones Assessment Algebra I (2026)	Milestones Assessment Biology (2026)	Milestones Assessment United States History (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Milestones Assessment Algebra I End of Course	Milestones Assessment Biology End of Course	Milestones Assessment United States History End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Jefferson High School	Public	9-12	575 Washington St	Jefferson	30549	Jackson County	Jefferson City	No	No	No	No	(706) 367-2881	1,339	80	16.6	25.8%	967 (72.2%)	130 (9.7%)	140 (10.5%)	43 (3.2%)	5 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	54 (4.0%)	76	52^nd of 457 public high schools	88.6%		81.6	45^th of 451 public high schools	90.0%	7	67.2	69.6	53.8	$11,677	$523	$11,155
Jackson County High School	Public	9-12	152 Jaxco Jct	Hoschton	30548	Jackson County	Jackson County	No	No	No	No	(706) 367-5003	2,222	105	21.1	39.5%	1,272 (57.2%)	256 (11.5%)	491 (22.1%)	95 (4.3%)	9 (0.4%)	4 (0.2%)	95 (4.3%)	53.3	148^th of 457 public high schools	67.6%		55.6	143^rd of 451 public high schools	68.3%	5	34.8	57.4	41.9	$11,774	$329	$11,445
East Jackson Comprehensive High School	Public	8-12	1435 Hoods Mill Rd	Commerce	30529	Jackson County	Jackson County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 336-8900	1,395	90	15.4	61.1%	885 (63.4%)	92 (6.6%)	324 (23.2%)	23 (1.6%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	70 (5.0%)	49	172^nd of 457 public high schools	62.4%		49.3	172^nd of 451 public high schools	61.9%		40.8	48.3	40.0	$14,235	$488	$13,747
Commerce High School	Public	9-12	272 Lakeview Dr	Commerce	30529	Jackson County	Commerce City	No	No	No	No	(706) 335-5942	557	41	13.6	54.6%	354 (63.6%)	63 (11.3%)	107 (19.2%)	5 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	27 (4.8%)	66.3	83^rd of 457 public high schools	81.8%		55.5	144^th of 451 public high schools	68.1%	61	60.4	58.8	49.5	$13,562	$349	$13,212
Winder-Barrow High School	Public	9-12	272 N 5th Ave	Winder	30680	Barrow County	Barrow County	No	No	No	No	(770) 867-4519	1,869	126	14.8	51.0%	862 (46.1%)	274 (14.7%)	522 (27.9%)	113 (6.0%)	5 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	93 (5.0%)	40.9	219^th of 457 public high schools	52.1%		36.2	260^th of 451 public high schools	42.4%	41	22.2	40.7	44.0	$12,641	$752	$11,890
Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy	Public	9-12	1007 Austin Rd	Winder	30680	Barrow County	Barrow County	No	No	No	No	(678) 425-2903	967	59	16.3	47.1%	521 (53.9%)	115 (11.9%)	222 (23.0%)	54 (5.6%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	52 (5.4%)	81.1	37^th of 457 public high schools	91.9%		86.2	28^th of 451 public high schools	93.8%	9	67.5	71.8	65.9	$12,392	$404	$11,988
Banks County High School	Public	9-12	1486A Historic Homer Hwy	Homer	30547	Banks County	Banks County	No	No	No	No	(706) 677-2221	831	69	12.0	75.0%	640 (77.0%)	17 (2.0%)	131 (15.8%)	10 (1.2%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (3.9%)	59.2	114^th of 457 public high schools	75.1%		61.7	112^th of 451 public high schools	75.2%	2	54.3	49.7	47.9	$15,107	$318	$14,789
Foothills Regional High School	Public	9-12	2415 Jefferson Rd Ste B	Athens	30607	Clarke County	State Specialty Schools I- Foothills Regional High School	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 795-2191	1,475	29	51.5	73.4%	574 (38.9%)	589 (39.9%)	204 (13.8%)	13 (0.9%)	3 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	92 (6.2%)	17.8	370^th of 457 public high schools	19.0%		30.5	291^st of 451 public high schools	35.5%	79	21.7	24.2	20.4	$15,437	$1,117	$14,320
Classic City High School	Public	9-12	440 Dearing Ext	Athens	30606	Clarke County	Clarke County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 353-2323	58	7	8.2	82.8%	0 (0.0%)	54 (93.1%)	1 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (5.2%)	4.9	443^rd of 457 public high schools	3.1%		4	447^th of 451 public high schools	0.9%	4	0.0	0.0	8.6
Clarke Central High School	Public	9-12	350 S Milledge Ave	Athens	30605	Clarke County	Clarke County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 357-5200	1,907	120	15.8	82.5%	502 (26.3%)	748 (39.2%)	523 (27.4%)	34 (1.8%)	4 (0.2%)	2 (0.1%)	94 (4.9%)	34.3	263^rd of 457 public high schools	42.5%		44.3	204^th of 451 public high schools	54.8%	59	23.1	40.4	33.8	$17,068	$1,332	$15,736

Frequently Asked Questions about Jefferson High School

What schools feed into Jefferson High School?

Jefferson High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Jefferson Academy
Elementary : Jefferson Elementary School
Middle : Jefferson Middle School

What district is Jefferson High School in?

Jefferson City

How many students attend Jefferson High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,339 students attended Jefferson High School.

Is Jefferson High School a good school?

Jefferson High School ranks 52^nd of 457 Georgia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Jefferson High School?

Students at Jefferson High School are 72% White, 10% Hispanic, 10% African American, 4% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

Rate Jefferson High School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

GAGeorgia High School Rankings

GAGeorgia District Rankings

Schools in Jefferson, GA

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Jefferson High School!

Latest Georgia data All new data »

2025–26 attendance dataAug 6, 2026

2025–26 Milestones Assessment scoresAug 6, 2026

2021–22 through 2024–25 Milestones Assessment scores (updated)Aug 6, 2026

2024–25 dropout ratesFeb 19, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Georgia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.