Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 30815

Zip code 30815 is served by two middle schools—Pine Hill Middle School and Hephzibah Middle School—both part of the Richmond County district and both serving grades 6-8 with nearly identical enrollment (757 and 728 students, respectively). Every student at both schools qualifies for free or reduced lunch, and both schools face significant academic challenges, ranking in the bottom 5% of Georgia middle schools.

Comparing the two, Pine Hill shows a slight edge in overall ranking (557th vs. 562nd out of 578) and performs notably better in 8th grade math (16.4% proficient vs. 8.3%) and Algebra I End of Course (25.0% vs. 18.9%). Pine Hill also has a more favorable student-teacher ratio (15.6:1 vs. 17.4:1). However, Hephzibah outperforms Pine Hill in 6th grade math (9.7% vs. 6.8%), 8th grade science (4.9% vs. 2.4%), and high school Physical Science (16.7% vs. 10.7%). Chronic absenteeism is nearly identical—28.0% at Pine Hill and 27.2% at Hephzibah—both well above the state average of 17.7%.

Both schools trail state proficiency averages by dramatic margins across every subject. For example, only 2.4% of Pine Hill students and 4.9% of Hephzibah students are proficient in 8th grade science, compared to 29.7% statewide. Algebra I is the relative bright spot, with Pine Hill actually exceeding the district average (25.0% vs. 19.4%). Year-over-year trends are mixed: Pine Hill improved in social studies and Algebra I but declined in most math and science areas, while Hephzibah improved in 6th grade math and science but slipped in 7th/8th grade math and social studies. Per-student spending is similar ($13,017 at Pine Hill, $12,820 at Hephzibah) and above state levels, yet outcomes remain low—suggesting that financial resources alone aren't closing the achievement gap. Addressing chronic absenteeism and building on subject-specific strengths will be critical for both schools moving forward.