Pelham High School

Pelham High School serves approximately 381 students in grades 9-12 in the small city of Pelham, Georgia, as part of the Pelham City district. The school has built a reputation for strong student support, with a 93.4% graduation rate that now exceeds the state average of 87.2%—a remarkable 13-point improvement over the past five years.

Perhaps the most striking turnaround at Pelham High is in student attendance. Chronic absenteeism has plummeted from 36.7% in 2021-2022 to just 8.7% today—less than half the state average of 17.7%. This dramatic shift suggests a school culture where students feel connected and motivated to show up. The school also maintains a favorable 11:1 student-teacher ratio and invests $15,527 per student, which is notably higher than nearby Cairo High School's $10,266. While test scores in subjects like Algebra I and U.S. History remain below state averages, Biology proficiency has improved significantly, rising from 15.8% to 35.9% in three years—now competitive with several neighboring schools. It's worth noting that Georgia's current test score release does not include English Language Arts (ELA) scores; those will be released in December.

When compared to Cairo High School, just 16.7 miles away, Pelham actually outperforms its larger neighbor in key outcome areas: a higher graduation rate (93.4% vs. 90.3%), lower chronic absenteeism (8.7% vs. 14.7%), and a better student-teacher ratio. The school's dropout rate of 2.6% also sits below the state average. While the school's statewide ranking dipped to 326th this year after a stronger previous showing, the consistent gains in graduation and attendance suggest a school that has built effective support systems. For parents, Pelham High appears to be a place where students are known, supported, and guided toward completion—even as academic proficiency remains a work in progress.