Schools in Zip Code 31537

Zip code 31537, serving the Folkston, Georgia area within Charlton County, contains four public schools—two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school—that collectively serve approximately 1,613 students in a predominantly rural, economically disadvantaged region.

St. George Elementary School stands out as the academic powerhouse, posting remarkable results despite its small size (198 students). In 2024-2025, it achieved 96.2% math proficiency in 3rd grade and 95.2% science proficiency in 5th grade—more than double state averages—though it experienced notable declines in 2025-2026. Folkston Elementary School is the largest elementary school (545 students) and demonstrates exceptional mathematics achievement, with 83.5% 4th-grade math proficiency versus 50.1% statewide. Both elementary schools maintain 4-star ratings, with Folkston showing a remarkable turnaround from a 2-star rating in 2015-2016. Bethune Middle School shows a concerning "8th grade math cliff," dropping from 66.6% proficiency in 6th grade to 38.1% in 8th grade—the only grade level in the zip code falling below state averages. Charlton County High School presents mixed signals: its ranking dropped to the 49th percentile, and Algebra I proficiency (24.8%) is roughly half the state average, yet its graduation rate is exceptional at 96.6% versus 87.2% statewide.

All four schools outperform the state in chronic absenteeism, with rates ranging from 10.4% at St. George to 16.9% at the high school, compared to the 17.7% state average. The district ranks 41st out of 201 Georgia districts (80th percentile) with a 4-star rating. Per-student spending ranges from $13,524 at Bethune Middle—which has the highest poverty rate at 99.56%—to $16,530 at the high school, which has the lowest poverty rate at 76.26%. Student-teacher ratios are consistently favorable at roughly 13:1 across all schools. The contrast between strong elementary performance and weaker secondary outcomes suggests instructional strengths may not fully carry through to later grades, making this an area worth monitoring for families with older students.