Best High Schools in Zip Code 30563

Zip code 30563 in Mount Airy, Georgia, is home to two high schools within the Habersham County School District, serving grades 9-12 and 6-12 respectively, in a predominantly rural, economically diverse area.

Habersham Central High School is the clear academic leader, ranking in the 80th percentile statewide with a 98% graduation rate—well above the state average of 87.2%. It outperforms state proficiency averages in Biology (49.8% vs. 47.2%) and U.S. History (56.3% vs. 38.5%). However, its Algebra I proficiency rate of just 2.9% is a dramatic outlier, far below the district’s 57.2% and the state’s 48.1%, signaling a serious math challenge despite strengths elsewhere. The school also faces a chronic absenteeism rate of 21.3%, higher than the district (13.2%) and state (17.7%), yet still achieves strong outcomes. In contrast, Habersham Success Academy, an alternative school with only 75 students, serves a 100% free/reduced lunch population and spends 61% more per student ($17,950 vs. $11,167) but has a higher student-teacher ratio (28.8:1 vs. 17.4:1), suggesting funds go toward support services rather than smaller classes. Its 93.3% graduation rate still beats the state average, and it exceeds state U.S. History proficiency (27.8% vs. 38.5%—though still below state, it’s notable for an alternative setting).

Both schools serve predominantly low-income families, with Habersham Central at 77.2% free/reduced lunch, yet Habersham Central maintains consistent 4-star ratings and stable rankings (86th-93rd statewide) over three years. Habersham Success Academy lacks recent ranking data (none since 2018-2019) and has no Algebra I or Biology scores, making full comparison difficult. Its chronic absenteeism rate of 43.7% is triple the district average, reflecting its at-risk population. For parents, Habersham Central offers strong overall academics and graduation success but requires attention to math support and attendance; Habersham Success Academy provides intensive support for students needing an alternative path, with higher spending and a graduation rate that still exceeds state norms. Note that ELA scores are not yet available in this release and will be released in December.