Jeffersonville Elementary

Jeffersonville Elementary in Jeffersonville, GA, serves approximately 356 students in grades PK-5 within the Twiggs County school district, a rural community where 96% of students now qualify for free or reduced lunch—a sharp rise from 53% just two years ago.

Academically, the school shows a concerning pattern: math proficiency declines as students move up in grade. In the most recent data, 3rd graders hit 38.9% proficiency in math, but 4th graders fell to 26% and 5th graders dropped to just 15.3%. Fifth-grade science tells a similar story, plummeting from 50% proficiency in 2022-2023 to 17.3% now. That said, there are bright spots. The school outperforms nearby Miller Elementary School in Houston County—a school with a similar high-poverty population—in 3rd grade math (38.9% vs. 30.2%) and matches it in 4th grade math (26% vs. 26%). Jeffersonville also spends more per student ($16,901) than several neighbors, including Bonaire Elementary School ($12,634), though Bonaire—serving a wealthier population—posts far higher scores (73.4% in 3rd grade math). Chronic absenteeism, at 23.4%, remains above the state average of 17.7%, but it has improved from 34.2% in 2021-2022 and is better than the district rate of 27.8%.

For parents, the key takeaway is that Jeffersonville faces real challenges, but it also shows capacity for growth. In 2022-2023, the school ranked in the 45th percentile statewide, and one cohort of 5th graders nearly matched the state average in English Language Arts. The recent decline in upper-grade scores suggests students may be falling behind as they progress, but the school’s relatively strong 3rd grade performance and better-than-district attendance indicate a foundation to build on. With a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1 and higher-than-average per-pupil spending, the resources are there—the question is whether they can be translated into consistent gains for all grade levels.