Summary:
Zip code 30439 is home to a single elementary school, Metter Elementary School, which serves grades Pre-K through 5th grade in Candler County with a substantial enrollment of 994 students.
Metter Elementary is a high-poverty school, with 100% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, yet it maintains a favorable 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio and spends a notable $15,224 per student. The school has held a steady statewide ranking in the 42nd to 45th percentile (2 stars) over the past three years, indicating consistent performance relative to other Georgia elementary schools. A clear strength is attendance: the chronic absenteeism rate of 12.5% is well below the state average of 17.7%. In academics, the most recent data shows promising gains in 3rd and 4th grade math, with proficiency jumping from 26.4% to 35.8% and 27.6% to 39.9%, respectively. However, 5th grade math proficiency dropped sharply from 50.7% to 31.9%, a concerning swing that now places it below the state average. Science performance in 5th grade (42.2%) sits just two points below the state average, while the most recent English Language Arts scores (from 2024-2025) trailed state averages by 6 to 12 points across all grade levels.
For parents, this school offers a supportive environment with strong attendance and smaller class sizes, but academic proficiency generally lags state averages despite significant per-student investment. The recent math improvements in early grades are encouraging, though the 5th grade decline warrants attention. With ELA results for the current year expected in December, families will gain a fuller picture of the school's academic trajectory. Overall, Metter Elementary demonstrates resilience in a high-poverty context, but there remains clear room for growth in bringing all subjects closer to state benchmarks.
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