Summary:
There are two middle schools serving zip code 30901 in Augusta, Georgia, both part of the Richmond County school district, and both serve students in grades 6-8 within a community where 100% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
For parents comparing the two schools, W.S. Hornsby Middle School is the stronger academic performer overall. In the most recent test scores, Hornsby posted a 22.6% proficiency rate in Algebra I compared to 16.7% at Murphey Middle School, and Hornsby also showed a dramatic improvement in that subject, jumping from 7.1% to 22.6% in one year while Murphey declined from 20.8% to 16.7%. In the last available English Language Arts data, Hornsby's 6th grade proficiency was 17.0% versus just 4.4% at Murphey. However, Murphey serves more students (512 vs. 391) and had a slight edge in 8th grade math (7.7% vs. 7.6%). Both schools face severe challenges, ranking in the bottom 2% statewide, with chronic absenteeism rates of 45.9% at Murphey and 50.3% at Hornsby—roughly three times the state average. Per-student spending is nearly identical at about $15,200, yet neither school is achieving results commensurate with that investment.
The most striking finding is the "Algebra I paradox": both schools show much higher proficiency in Algebra I (16-23%) than in grade-level math (5-8%), suggesting only top students are placed into that course. Additionally, both report 0% proficiency in high school Physical Science, a staggering 43-point gap below the district average. While both schools are improving slightly in statewide rankings, they remain far below district and state averages in nearly every subject. For parents, the key takeaway is that Hornsby offers somewhat better academic outcomes, but both schools urgently need interventions focused on attendance and targeted instruction. The upcoming ELA scores in December will provide more clarity, but the current data paints a clear picture of two schools requiring significant systemic support.
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