Summary:
Zip code 31510, serving the Alma, Georgia area, is home to four public schools within the Bacon County School District, which collectively educate roughly 2,094 students across grades PK-12 and hold a 4-star district rating despite serving a predominantly low-income population.
For parents, the standout institution is Bacon County High School, which has climbed 25 spots in state rankings over the past two years to 102nd out of 455 Georgia high schools. It boasts a 93.8% graduation rate—well above the state's 87.2%—and leads the district in academic performance, particularly in Algebra I (62.1% proficiency vs. 48.1% statewide) and US History (45.3% vs. 38.5%). Meanwhile, Bacon County Elementary School is the consistent performer, with 4th grade math proficiency at 60.4% (10 points above the state average) and 5th grade science at 52.6% (8 points above). Bacon County Primary School serves the youngest students (PK-2) with the highest per-student spending ($15,932) and a 100% free/reduced lunch rate. The most volatile school is Bacon County Middle School, which saw 6th grade math jump nearly 10 points to 46.8% but experienced significant declines in 8th grade math (down 16.8 points to 43.5%) and social studies (down 18.3 points to 46.6%).
Across the district, math is a clear strength, with every grade level except 8th exceeding state averages—most notably Algebra I (+14 points) and 4th grade (+10.3 points). However, chronic absenteeism is a growing concern at the secondary level: the middle school (28.1%) and high school (25.7%) both far exceed the state average of 17.7%, while elementary schools hover near it. Despite these challenges, the district's cohesive curriculum and efficient resource allocation—student-teacher ratios range from 11.5:1 at the elementary school to 14.4:1 at the high school—have produced above-average results in most subjects, making this a compelling example of high achievement in a high-poverty context.
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