Summary:
Zip code 31545, encompassing Jesup, Georgia, is home to just one middle school, Martha Puckett Middle School, which serves grades 6 through 8 and is part of the Wayne County school district.
Martha Puckett Middle School is clearly on an upward trajectory, climbing from the 41st percentile statewide in 2023–2024 to the 61st percentile in 2025–2026. The school’s biggest strength is its advanced coursework: 91.7% of students taking Algebra I scored proficient, nearly double the district rate and far above the state average, while 100% of 8th graders taking High School Physical Science were proficient. These results suggest a very strong accelerated program for high-achieving students. The school also outperforms state averages in 8th-grade Science (36.2% vs. 29.7%) and Social Studies (47.1% vs. 40.2%). However, grade-level math tells a more mixed story. While 8th-grade math improved dramatically to 41.6% proficiency, 6th-grade math actually declined to 32.3%, now trailing both the district (40.0%) and state (40.7%). This suggests the school excels at accelerating its top students but may need more support for students at their current grade level, particularly in the lower grades.
One notable concern is chronic absenteeism, which sits at 28.6% — significantly higher than the district’s 22.4% and the state’s 17.7%. This is a risk factor that could undermine future gains. On the positive side, the school maintains a favorable student-to-teacher ratio of 12.3:1 and spends $13,492 per student, which may help explain its ability to offer advanced coursework and individualized attention. Overall, Martha Puckett Middle School is a school with strong momentum, exceptional advanced programs, and clear areas for improvement in attendance and early middle school math support.
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