Schools in Zip Code 30417

Zip code 30417, serving the Claxton, Georgia area, contains 5 schools spanning pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, including three traditional public schools within the Evans County district, one alternative school, and one youth detention center operated by the Department of Juvenile Justice.

For parents, the standout story is Claxton High School, which boasts an exceptional 98.1% graduation rate—well above the state average of 87.2%—despite serving a student body where 100% qualify for free or reduced lunch. However, academic proficiency remains a challenge, with only 17.2% of students proficient in Algebra I and 13.2% in Biology. Claxton Middle School showed the most dramatic improvement, jumping from the 4th to the 23rd percentile in state rankings, with 8th grade math proficiency soaring from 7.5% to 35.3%. In contrast, Claxton Elementary School saw 5th grade math proficiency collapse from 25% to 8.1%, though its 4th grade math (37.4%) remains the strongest elementary result in the area. Second Chance, an alternative school, faces severe challenges with a 76.1% chronic absenteeism rate and near-zero proficiency in most subjects, while Claxton Regional Youth Detention Center serves just 10 students with a 5:1 student-teacher ratio.

Chronic absenteeism is a clear predictor of performance: Claxton High (24.8% absenteeism) and Second Chance (76.1%) struggle academically, while Claxton Elementary (17.1%) shows relatively stronger results. Per-student spending ranges from $13,465 at the high school to $17,647 at the elementary school, yet outcomes remain 20-40 percentage points below state averages across most subjects. The district ranks 182nd out of 201 in Georgia, but the middle school's turnaround and the high school's graduation success demonstrate that improvement is possible. English Language Arts scores will be released in December, providing a more complete picture of student achievement in this high-poverty rural district.