Summary
Stewart County Middle School in Lumpkin, GA, serves 82 students in grades 6-8 within the Stewart County district, a small, high-poverty rural school where every student qualifies for free or reduced lunch.
Academically, the school faces significant challenges. In the most recent testing cycle, math proficiency ranged from just 11.1% in 6th grade to 25.9% in 7th grade, compared to state averages between 40.7% and 46.3%. Even more concerning, 8th grade science and social studies proficiency both sit at 0%, versus state averages of 29.7% and 40.2%, respectively. The contrast with Chattahoochee County Middle School, just 18 miles away, is stark—that school achieves proficiency rates 2-5 times higher across most subjects, despite serving a less economically disadvantaged population (66.3% vs. 100% free/reduced lunch). Notably, Stewart County spends $21,954 per student—57% more than Chattahoochee County's $13,982—yet sees dramatically lower results, suggesting that funding alone isn't driving outcomes. The school's state ranking has also fallen sharply, from the 33rd percentile in 2023-2024 to the 9th percentile in 2025-2026, a drop of 132 positions.
There are some bright spots. Chronic absenteeism, while rising from 7.0% to 10.8% over three years, remains well below the state average of 17.7%, meaning students are showing up regularly. The student-teacher ratio of 13:1 is favorable, and 7th grade math proficiency (25.9%) is more than double the 6th grade rate, possibly indicating a strong teacher or cohort effect. However, with only about 27 students per grade, test scores can swing dramatically from year to year—a handful of students can shift percentages significantly. For parents, this means looking beyond single-year data and considering the school's overall trajectory, which currently shows a critical need for instructional support, especially in science and social studies, even as the school builds on its solid attendance foundation.
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