Summary:
Zip code 31063, serving the Montezuma area in Macon County, Georgia, is home to two public schools—Macon County High School (grades 9-12, 333 students) and Macon County Middle School (grades 6-8, 189 students)—both part of the Macon County district, which ranks in the bottom 10% of Georgia districts.
The middle school is the clear standout in this area, showing consistent improvement over three years (rising from 505th to 451st in state rankings). Its 8th-grade Science proficiency of 31.6% actually exceeds the state average of 29.7%—a remarkable feat given that 100% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school also posted a dramatic one-year gain in 8th-grade Math, jumping from 7.9% to 26.3% proficiency. However, 6th and 7th-grade math scores remain very low (7.7% and 9.8%, respectively), creating a wide gap within the same building. By contrast, Macon County High School has slipped in rankings (from 374th to 416th) with proficiency rates of just 11% in Algebra I, 15.5% in Biology, and 12.1% in U.S. History—all roughly 30 points below state averages. The high school does boast a graduation rate of 91.6%, above the state's 87.2%, suggesting strong efforts to keep students on track despite academic struggles.
Both schools face serious challenges with chronic absenteeism (about 28% vs. 17.7% statewide) and high poverty levels. Per-student spending is substantial—$17,267 at the high school and $19,919 at the middle school—yet test scores remain low overall. The most encouraging takeaway is the middle school's upward trajectory, particularly in 8th grade, which may indicate effective interventions worth replicating. The high school's recent decline in Biology and Algebra I, however, warrants attention, especially as students transition from the middle school's improving environment. For parents, the middle school offers genuine signs of progress, while the high school provides a strong graduation pathway but needs academic support.
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