Summary:
Zip code 31210 in Macon, Georgia, is home to a single middle school, Howard Middle School, which serves grades 6 through 8 within the Bibb County School District.
Howard Middle School presents a striking contrast in academic performance. Its standout achievement is in Algebra I, where 80% of students scored proficient on the End-of-Course exam in 2025-2026—far exceeding the state average of 48.1% and the district's 22%. This suggests a highly effective accelerated math program for a select group of students. However, this success does not extend to the broader student body. Grade-level math proficiency remains well below state averages, with 6th grade at 13.5% versus the state's 40.7%, and 8th grade at 23.3% versus 46.3%. The school's most significant struggles are in 8th grade science (6.3% proficient) and social studies (5.3% proficient), both dramatically lower than state averages. Social studies proficiency also dropped sharply from 16% the previous year, a concerning decline. The school's overall state ranking has slipped from the 22nd percentile in 2023-2024 to the 11th percentile in 2025-2026.
Several factors contextualize these results. Chronic absenteeism is a critical issue, affecting 33.7% of students—nearly double the state rate of 17.7% and significantly higher than the district's 27.5%. This likely contributes to the academic struggles in most subjects. The school also serves a high-poverty population, with 60.6% of students receiving free or reduced lunch, and spends $13,719 per student, which is substantial yet not translating into broad academic gains. While the Algebra I program demonstrates the school's capacity for excellence, it appears to be an isolated strength. For parents, this means Howard offers a strong pathway for advanced math students, but the majority of students face significant challenges in core subjects, and attendance is a major concern that families should address proactively. English Language Arts scores for 2025-2026 are not yet available and will be released in December.
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