Macon County High School

Macon County High School in Montezuma, GA, serves approximately 333 students in grades 9–12 and is part of the Macon County district, which currently holds a 0-star rating and ranks in the bottom 8% of districts statewide.

The most encouraging news for parents is the school’s graduation rate, which jumped dramatically to 91.6% for 2024–2025—up from 78.8% the year before and now above the state average of 87.2%. This marks the school’s highest graduation rate in five years. However, academic proficiency on End of Course (EOC) assessments remains well below state averages. For example, Algebra I proficiency is 11% (vs. 48.1% statewide), Biology is 15.5% (vs. 47.2%), and U.S. History is 12.1% (vs. 38.5%). While Biology showed improvement in prior years, recent scores dipped. Chronic absenteeism is also a concern at 27.8%, notably higher than the state average of 17.7%, though it has improved from a pandemic-era high of 36%.

Comparing nearby schools offers useful context. Schley Middle High School, just 16 miles away, posts dramatically higher proficiency rates (e.g., 68% in Algebra I and Biology) despite spending about $5,000 less per student. Meanwhile, Dooly County High School serves a similarly disadvantaged population and has comparable graduation rates, but Macon County outperforms it in American Literature and Biology. The school spends a substantial $17,267 per student and maintains a favorable 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. With a strong graduation rate now in place, the key question is whether the school can translate that momentum into higher academic mastery—especially given the persistent absenteeism challenge. The contrast with Schley County shows that high achievement is possible in rural Georgia, making this a pivotal moment for Macon County High School.