Schools in Zip Code 31206

Zip code 31206 in Macon, Georgia, is served by five schools in the Bibb County School District, including two elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools, all of which face significant economic challenges with free/reduced lunch rates ranging from 61.6% to 79.1%.

For parents exploring this area, the most encouraging news comes from the elementary level. Southfield Elementary School has climbed from the 3rd to the 13th percentile in state rankings over two years, while Bruce Elementary School jumped from the 5th to the 18th percentile, with both earning their first star ratings. Bruce stands out for its 5th grade science proficiency (34.3%), which matches the district average despite having the highest poverty rate in the zip code. At the secondary level, Southwest High School posts a remarkable 92.9% graduation rate—well above the state average of 87.2%—even though its test scores are the lowest in the area. In contrast, Westside High School has the highest academic performance among the high schools but struggles with a 47.1% chronic absenteeism rate, nearly triple the state average.

The data reveals a concerning proficiency decline as students advance. Elementary math proficiency ranges from 19-31%, but by 8th grade at Weaver Middle School, math proficiency drops to just 8.1%, and high school Algebra I proficiency falls to 9.9-18.1%. Chronic absenteeism also worsens with age, with elementary schools actually performing better than the district average (26.9-28.2% vs. 27.5%), while secondary schools range from 36-47%. Notably, elementary schools receive roughly $2,500-3,000 more per student than high schools, yet secondary students face the most severe academic gaps. The district itself ranks in the bottom 18% of Georgia districts, but the upward trajectory of both elementary schools offers genuine hope for long-term improvement if those gains can be sustained through middle and high school.