Summary:
Zip code 31554 in Nicholls, GA, is served by a single elementary school—Nicholls Elementary School—which enrolls 325 students in grades PK through 5 within the Coffee County school district.
Nicholls Elementary is a high-poverty, small rural school where 100% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school spends a robust $14,406 per student and maintains a favorable 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio, yet academic outcomes are mixed. In 2025-2026, 4th grade math proficiency reached 41.9%, beating the district average of 39.8% and marking a strong 9.2-point improvement over the prior year—a bright spot given the school’s economic challenges. However, 5th grade math tells a different story: only 20.8% of students are proficient, less than half the state rate (44.1%) and a sharp 21-point drop from 4th grade performance. Science proficiency also fell dramatically, from 50% in 2024-2025 to 35.8% in 2025-2026, now below both district and state averages. The school’s state ranking reflects this volatility, swinging from the 35th percentile (2023-2024) to the 48th (2024-2025) and back to the 34th (2025-2026), earning a 2-star rating each year.
Chronic absenteeism is a significant concern, with 21.8% of students missing substantial school time—higher than the district (21.0%) and state (17.7%) rates. This likely suppresses achievement across subjects, especially in a school where every student faces economic disadvantage. While the school generally tracks close to district averages, its 5th grade math performance falls notably below local peers, suggesting an area needing targeted intervention. English Language Arts scores for 2025-2026 are not yet available (expected in December), but prior-year data showed 3rd grade ELA exceeding state rates. Overall, Nicholls Elementary shows pockets of promise—particularly in 4th grade math—but faces real headwinds from absenteeism and inconsistent upper-elementary performance. With strong resources already in place, focused instructional strategies and attendance support could help stabilize outcomes.
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