Best Public Schools in Zip Code 31539

Zip code 31539, serving the Hazlehurst area in Jeff Davis County, Georgia, is home to four public schools—two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school—that together educate approximately 3,074 students within the Jeff Davis County school district.

For parents, the standout school in this area is Jeff Davis Middle School, which is the only school in the zip code to earn a 4-star rating and has climbed from the 66th to the 77th percentile in state rankings over two years. Its mathematics program is exceptional, with 7th and 8th graders outperforming state averages by 12.9 and 12 points respectively, and 8th grade Social Studies proficiency (56.6%) exceeds the state by a remarkable 16.4 points. Jeff Davis High School is the graduation champion, posting a 98.9% graduation rate—nearly 12 points above the state average—despite 92.46% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch. The high school also improved its state ranking by 58 positions, with Biology proficiency jumping from 43.7% to 55.4% year-over-year. Jeff Davis Elementary School has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (16.7%) in the district, while Jeff Davis Primary School receives the highest per-student spending ($13,927) but struggles with a 26.5% chronic absenteeism rate.

Key takeaways for families include a notable 5th grade slump—math proficiency drops to 38.7% versus the state's 44.1%, and science trails by 7.5 points—suggesting a transition issue between elementary levels. Chronic absenteeism exceeds the state average (17.7%) at three of four schools, with the primary school's rate being particularly concerning for early learners. However, the district overall ranks in the 79th percentile statewide with a 4-star rating, and most year-over-year trends are positive, including improvements in 3rd, 6th, and 7th grade math. The middle school's efficient resource use (second-lowest spending per student) combined with top academic results makes it the clear academic leader, while the high school's extraordinary graduation rate demonstrates strong support for at-risk students.