Summary:
Zip code 30241 in LaGrange, Georgia, is served by two middle schools—Gardner-Newman Middle School and Callaway Middle School—both part of the Troup County district and both serving grades 6 through 8 in an area marked by very high poverty rates.
Gardner-Newman is the clear academic leader between the two. It ranks 334th in the state (42nd percentile) and posts an extraordinary 84.8% proficiency in Algebra I—nearly double the district average of 45.8% and far above the state's 48.1%. Its 6th grade math score (41.1%) also edges out the state average, and its chronic absenteeism rate (13.5%) is better than both the district and state. Callaway, by contrast, ranks 404th (30th percentile) and struggles across most subjects, with 8th grade math proficiency at just 18.8% versus the state's 46.3%. Callaway also saw a dramatic 23.6-point drop in Algebra I proficiency, falling from 61.4% to 37.8% in one year. The two schools have diverged significantly: they were only 31 ranking spots apart in 2023-2024, but now sit 70 spots apart.
Despite similar demographics, Callaway actually spends more per student ($14,118 vs. $12,093) and has a better student-teacher ratio (13.1:1 vs. 15.2:1), yet performs worse on nearly every metric—suggesting resources alone aren't driving outcomes. Callaway's higher chronic absenteeism (18.3%) likely plays a role. One bright spot for Callaway is 8th grade science, where it slightly outperforms Gardner-Newman and matches the state average. Both schools struggle significantly in 8th grade social studies, with proficiency rates below half the state's 40.2%. Gardner-Newman's sustained Algebra I success, however, demonstrates that high achievement is possible even in high-poverty settings, making it the stronger choice for families prioritizing math acceleration.
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