Summary:
Zip code 31023 in Eastman, Georgia, is served by five schools—one primary, one middle, and three high schools—that together educate about 2,158 students in a predominantly high-poverty community where all schools report free/reduced lunch rates above 91%.
Dodge County High School is the clear standout in this area, achieving a 96.7% graduation rate that exceeds the state average by nearly 10 points, along with a remarkably low 9.4% chronic absenteeism rate—about half the state average. This is especially notable given that 96.29% of its students qualify for free/reduced lunch. The school even surpassed the state in Biology proficiency in 2024-2025 (50.8% vs. 44.2%), though it dropped to 35.3% the following year. By contrast, Dodge County Middle School shows proficiency rates in math, science, and social studies that run 15-22 points below state averages, with gaps widening as students advance through grades. Dodge County Primary School (grades PK-2) has a 17.1% chronic absenteeism rate that matches the state average but exceeds the district's 11.2%, a concern for such young learners.
The two non-traditional schools face far greater challenges. DAC (Dodge County Achievement Center) serves just 51 students with a 33.9% chronic absenteeism rate and 0% proficiency in Biology and US History, while Eastman Youth Development Campus, operated by the Department of Juvenile Justice, reports a 5.3% graduation rate despite an intensive 4.8:1 student-teacher ratio. The Dodge County district ranks in the bottom quarter of Georgia districts (23rd percentile), yet its 95.8% graduation rate suggests a strong focus on keeping students enrolled even where test scores lag. For parents, this area offers a high school that excels at student retention and support, but families should expect proficiency levels below state averages at most grade levels.
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