Summary:
Zip code 31316 in Ludowici, GA, is home to three elementary schools within the Long County district, serving roughly 2,364 students in grades PK through 5 with a high-poverty population (77-80% free/reduced lunch). These schools form a clear progression: Long County Primary School (PK-1), Smiley Elementary School (2-3), and McClelland Elementary School (4-5).
Smiley Elementary stands out as the academic leader, posting a 47% 3rd grade math proficiency rate that matches the district and nearly matches the state (48.3%), while also showing year-over-year improvement. It also has the best attendance, with a 16.6% chronic absenteeism rate—below the state average of 17.7%. In contrast, Long County Primary has a concerning 25.6% chronic absenteeism rate, nearly 8 points above the state, which is especially troubling for its youngest learners. McClelland Elementary shows a promising upward trend in its state ranking, climbing from the 27th to the 40th percentile over two years, but faces a sharp challenge: 5th grade math proficiency plummeted to just 23.8% in 2025-2026, down from 32% the prior year and far below the state's 44.1%. This creates a notable performance cliff between Smiley's 3rd graders (47%) and McClelland's 4th graders (41%), with the 5th grade collapse being the district's most urgent academic concern.
Despite these challenges, there are bright spots. McClelland's 5th grade science proficiency (42.5%) is nearly on par with the state (44.2%), suggesting the math struggles may be subject-specific rather than systemic. Additionally, Smiley's strong performance despite high poverty demonstrates that success is achievable in this demographic context. The district overall holds a 3-star rating and ranks in the 58th percentile statewide, reflecting a system that is stable but not excelling. Parents should note that Smiley offers the strongest combination of academics and attendance, while McClelland is improving but needs attention in 5th grade math, and Long County Primary would benefit from attendance-focused interventions.
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