Schools in Zip Code 31211

Zip code 31211 in Macon, Georgia, is served by four schools—one elementary, two middle schools, and one high school—enrolling roughly 2,628 students across the Bibb County and Jones County districts, with the latter district ranking significantly higher statewide.

The standout school is Clifton Ridge Middle School, the only 3-star school in the area, ranking in the 57th percentile statewide. Its Algebra I proficiency rate of 88.9% is nearly double the state average and more than double the rate at Appling Middle School, its direct Bibb County counterpart. Clifton Ridge also exceeds state averages in science, social studies, and physical science, while Appling Middle ranks in the 9th percentile and shows volatile performance—its Algebra I proficiency dropped from 52.2% to 37% in one year. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School is a bright spot, jumping from the 15th to the 33rd percentile in two years, with 5th-grade science proficiency (49.4%) that beats the state average despite having the highest economic disadvantage rate (79.4% free/reduced lunch) in the zip code. Northeast High School struggles most, ranking in the 8th percentile with a 42.8% chronic absenteeism rate—more than double the state average—and a graduation rate (84%) below both district and state levels.

Per-student spending is remarkably similar across all four schools ($14,360–$15,152), yet outcomes vary dramatically, suggesting resource allocation matters more than total dollars. Clifton Ridge achieves the best results with the lowest student-teacher ratio (12:1), while Northeast High spends the most yet performs worst. Chronic absenteeism is a major differentiator: Appling Middle's rate (14.9%) is actually better than the state average, while Northeast High's crisis-level rate suppresses its academic performance. The zip code's educational divide is stark—students living miles apart can have vastly different experiences depending on their district, with Jones County's Clifton Ridge demonstrating that high achievement is possible in this area when students have access to advanced coursework and effective support systems.