Summary:
Zip code 30286, serving the Thomaston, Georgia area, is home to a single middle school, Upson-Lee Middle School, which enrolls 894 students across grades 6 through 8 as part of the Thomaston-Upson County district.
Upson-Lee Middle School presents a striking contrast between its advanced coursework and its grade-level subjects. The school's standout achievement is in advanced classes: Algebra I End-of-Course proficiency is an exceptional 97.2%, more than double the district average and nearly 50 points above the state, while 8th-grade Physical Science proficiency sits at 85.4% versus 60.9% statewide. However, grade-level performance tells a different story. Only 16.4% of 8th graders are proficient in general Science (state: 29.7%), and Social Studies proficiency is 24.6% compared to 40.2% statewide. Math proficiency ranges from 36.8% to 39.0% across grades 6–8, trailing the state by 2.5 to 7.3 points. Encouragingly, math scores improved across all grade levels year-over-year, with 7th grade jumping 10.1 points, and the school's overall state ranking has climbed 84 positions over two years to 315th.
Beyond academics, the school maintains a favorable 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio and spends $12,953 per student, suggesting resources are not the primary obstacle. Chronic absenteeism, however, is a concern at 19.7%, slightly above the state's 17.7%. The dramatic gap between advanced course success and grade-level struggles—especially the 30.5-point surge in Algebra I proficiency—points to strong instruction in rigorous pathways but a clear need for targeted intervention in general science and social studies. For parents, this school offers exceptional opportunities for students ready for advanced coursework, while grade-level subjects require attention and support to close the gap with state averages.
Thank you for your feedback!