Summary:
Zip code 31563, serving the rural Surrency area of Appling County, Georgia, contains just one elementary school: Fourth District Elementary School, which serves grades PK through 5 with a small enrollment of 148 students.
Fourth District Elementary School is a standout for its exceptional early-grade performance despite serving a highly economically disadvantaged population, with 95.27% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch. The school's 3rd grade Mathematics proficiency rate of 64.7% dramatically outperforms the state average of 48.3%, and its 3rd grade ELA score from the prior year (55.6%) was a remarkable 20.7 points above the state. This "third grade phenomenon" suggests particularly effective instruction in grades K-2. However, the school struggles to maintain that advantage in upper grades, falling below state averages in most 4th and 5th grade subjects, including 5th grade Science (35.5% vs. 44.2% state). The school also shows significant year-over-year volatility—5th grade Math jumped from 33.3% to 51.6% between years—likely amplified by small cohort sizes where a few students can shift percentages dramatically.
Compared to its district, Appling County, the school outperforms in 3rd grade ELA (+14.3 points) and 5th grade ELA (+12.9 points) but trails in 4th grade Math (-8.7 points) and 5th grade Science (-12.3 points). The school's statewide ranking has declined from the 78th percentile (2023-24) to the 63rd percentile (2025-26), though it remains above the median. Positively, chronic absenteeism is notably lower than peers at 13.3% versus 17.7% for both district and state, and the favorable 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio supports small class sizes. With per-student spending of $16,857, the school appears well-resourced for its size. Overall, this is a school with strong early elementary foundations and good attendance, but upper-grade performance and consistency are areas for continued focus.
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