McIntosh Academy

McIntosh Academy is a small public high school in Darien, GA, serving 389 students in grades 9 through 12 within the McIntosh County district.

McIntosh Academy stands out for its remarkable graduation rate of 98.1%—far above the state average of 87.2%—yet its students score below state averages on most End of Course assessments. For example, only 31.4% of students were proficient in Algebra I and 33.4% in Biology, compared to state averages of 48.1% and 47.2%. The school also shows a notable gender gap: female students rank in the 57th percentile statewide (3 stars), while male students rank in the 28th percentile (1 star). Chronic absenteeism (20.7%) is slightly above the state average and likely contributes to these academic challenges. Test scores have also been volatile year to year, suggesting the school is still working to find a consistent instructional approach.

Compared to nearby Brunswick High School—a much larger school in the higher-rated Glynn County district—McIntosh Academy spends more per student ($15,482 vs. $13,640) but achieves lower proficiency rates in every subject. Brunswick, for instance, posted 45.4% proficiency in Algebra I and 61.8% in Biology, despite serving a similarly high percentage of economically disadvantaged students. On the other hand, McIntosh Academy far outperforms Coastal Plains High School, a state specialty school with a 1-star rating and an 18.5% graduation rate. In short, McIntosh Academy excels at keeping students in school and on track to graduate, but it struggles to translate that success into state-level academic proficiency—a challenge that appears especially pronounced for male students.