Summary:
Zip code 31305, encompassing the Darien, GA area, is served by a single public high school, McIntosh Academy, which educates students in grades 9 through 12 within the McIntosh County school district.
McIntosh Academy stands out for its exceptional graduation rate of 98.1%, which is nearly 11 points above the state average of 87.2%. This is a remarkable achievement, especially considering that over 95% of its 389 students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a highly economically disadvantaged student body. However, academic proficiency on End of Course exams trails state averages in most subjects. In the most recent data, only 31.4% of students were proficient in Algebra I (state: 48.1%) and 33.4% in Biology (state: 47.2%). The school performs closest to the state average in United States History, with 38.0% proficiency versus the state's 38.5%. Notably, Biology proficiency dropped sharply from 43.9% to 33.4% year-over-year, while Algebra I remained stagnant at 31.4%. English Language Arts scores are not yet available for this release and will be published in December.
The school invests heavily in its students, spending $15,482 per pupil and maintaining a favorable 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Despite these resources, chronic absenteeism is a concern at 20.7%, higher than both the district (19.0%) and state (17.7%) averages. The school's state ranking has been volatile, fluctuating from a 2-star rating to a 3-star rating and back to 2 stars over the past three years. For parents, the key takeaway is a school that excels at getting students to graduation day but faces significant challenges in raising test scores, likely tied to the high poverty levels and absenteeism. The strong graduation rate suggests effective support systems, but families should be aware of the academic gaps in core subjects.
Thank you for your feedback!