Summary:
Schools in zip code 31545 (Jesup, GA) serve approximately 3,350 students across four schools in the Wayne County district, which ranks in the 60th percentile statewide, and include two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.
Martha Puckett Middle School is the clear academic standout, jumping 119 spots in state rankings over two years to reach the 61st percentile. Its Algebra I proficiency rate of 91.7% is nearly triple the district average and double the state rate, and it achieved a perfect 100% proficiency score in high school Physical Science. This contrasts sharply with Wayne County High School, where Algebra I proficiency is just 22.1% versus the state's 48.1%. The high school does excel in other areas, however, with a graduation rate of 89.6% (above the state's 87.2%), a dropout rate of just 0.8%, and strong U.S. History proficiency (46.7% vs. 38.5% state). The two elementary schools, Bacon Elementary School and Martha Rawls Smith Elementary School, both struggle with a notable 5th-grade math slump, with proficiency dropping roughly 14-17 points from 4th grade levels.
Chronic absenteeism is a systemic challenge, with three of four schools exceeding the state rate of 17.7%. Martha Puckett Middle School has the highest rate at 28.6%, yet still delivers the strongest academics—a paradox suggesting highly motivated attending students. Wayne County High School follows at 26.3%, while Bacon Elementary is at 22.4% and Rawls Smith is the only school below the state average at 16.3%. All schools serve predominantly low-income populations (82-100% free/reduced lunch eligibility). Per-student spending ranges from $11,588 at the high school (with a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio) to $14,693 at Rawls Smith (with a 12.0:1 ratio), yet higher spending does not correlate with better outcomes. Despite these challenges, the middle school's advanced math pipeline and the high school's strong graduation metrics offer bright spots for families considering this area.
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