Summary:
Zip code 31523 in Brunswick, Georgia is served by two middle schools—Jane Macon Middle and Risley Middle School—both part of the Glynn County district and both serving grades 6-8, with a combined enrollment of nearly 1,400 students.
Risley Middle School is the clear standout in this area. It ranks 118th out of 578 Georgia middle schools (80th percentile, 4 stars) and has improved its state ranking for three straight years, climbing from 200th to 188th to 118th. Risley improved in every subject from last year to this year, including strong gains in 6th grade math (49.7% to 62.1% proficient), 8th grade math (47.8% to 59.2%), and 8th grade science (31.6% to 43.0%). Its chronic absenteeism rate is just 7.8%—far below the district average of 15.0% and the state average of 17.7%. By contrast, Jane Macon Middle has declined in ranking for three consecutive years (227th to 271st to 285th) and now sits at the 51st percentile with a 3-star rating. Jane Macon's chronic absenteeism is 20.4%, nearly triple Risley's rate, and its test scores trail both the district and state averages in most subjects. For example, only 36.2% of Jane Macon 6th graders are proficient in math versus 62.1% at Risley, and Jane Macon's 8th grade science proficiency is 26.9% compared to Risley's 43.0%.
Both schools serve high-poverty populations, with Jane Macon at 100% free/reduced lunch and Risley at 82.71%, yet Risley outperforms Jane Macon in every subject area. Risley also spends more per student ($15,797 vs. $14,023) and has a better student-teacher ratio (11.9:1 vs. 13.2:1). One notable anomaly: both schools post extraordinary Algebra I End-of-Course proficiency rates (100% at Jane Macon, 95.6% at Risley) versus the district's 57% and state's 48.1%, likely reflecting that only advanced students take this course in middle school. For parents, Risley is clearly on an upward trajectory with strong momentum, while Jane Macon faces significant challenges that may warrant closer attention.
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