Best High Schools in Zip Code 31513

Zip code 31513, encompassing the Baxley area in Georgia, is served by a single high school, Appling County High School, which educates students in grades 9 through 12 with an enrollment of about 1,013 students.

Appling County High School stands out for its exceptional graduation rate of 99.2%, which is 12 percentage points higher than the state average of 87.2%, a remarkable achievement given that nearly 99% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school has shown positive momentum, improving from a 2-star rating in the 37th percentile (2023-2024) to a consistent 3-star rating in the low-to-mid 50th percentile over the last two years. Academically, the school demonstrates a clear strength in mathematics; in 2024-2025, its Algebra I proficiency rate of 56.7% outpaced the state by nearly 12 points, and it maintained a slight edge in 2025-2026 (50.4% vs. 48.1%). However, there are areas of concern. Proficiency in Biology (36.6%) and U.S. History (34.1%) for 2025-2026 trails state averages, and the school has experienced notable year-to-year volatility in test scores. Chronic absenteeism is also a significant challenge, with a rate of 25.3% compared to the state's 17.7%.

For parents, this data paints a picture of a school that is highly effective at ensuring students stay on track to graduate, even while facing substantial socioeconomic hurdles. The strong performance in Algebra I suggests solid foundational instruction in math. However, the lower scores in science and history, combined with high absenteeism, indicate areas where students may be missing critical instructional time. The school benefits from being part of the highly-rated Appling County district, which holds a 4-star rating and ranks in the top 22% of Georgia districts. With a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1 and per-student spending of $13,236, the school has resources to support its high-need population. While academic proficiency in some subjects lags the state, the school's exceptional graduation rate and upward trajectory in state rankings suggest it is successfully fostering student persistence and overall improvement.