Summary:
Zip code 31516, serving the Blackshear, Georgia area, is home to one high school, Pierce County High School, which educates students in grades 9 through 12 and is part of the highly-rated Pierce County district.
Pierce County High School stands out as a strong academic performer, particularly in mathematics. Its most recent Algebra I proficiency rate of 88.4% is nearly double the state average, and it also outperforms the state by more than 20 points in Biology. The school maintains an excellent 95.9% graduation rate, well above the state's 87.2%, and a very low dropout rate of 0.9%. This success is especially notable given that nearly 78% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch, a demographic often associated with lower test scores. However, the school shows some areas of concern. Its U.S. History proficiency dropped sharply to 36.8%, now slightly below the state average, and its overall state ranking has slipped from the 95th percentile to the 89th percentile over the past two years. Chronic absenteeism, at 16.3%, is also higher than the district's average of 11.6%, though it remains slightly better than the state rate.
For parents, this school offers a rigorous academic environment with clear strengths in math and science, paired with strong student support that keeps kids on track to graduate. The recent decline in U.S. History scores and the school's slipping rank are trends worth watching, but the school remains in the top 11% of all Georgia high schools. The high poverty rate does not appear to hinder overall achievement, suggesting effective teaching and resources. While the school's performance can fluctuate year to year, its consistent outperformance of state averages in core subjects and its exceptional graduation rate make it a solid choice for families in the Blackshear area.
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