Summary:
Zip code 31605 in Valdosta, GA, is home to one middle school, Pine Grove Middle School, which serves grades 6-8 within the highly rated Lowndes County School District.
Pine Grove Middle School presents a fascinating split in academic performance. The school shines brightest in advanced 8th-grade coursework, with 93.2% of students proficient in Algebra I and an impressive 98.3% proficient in High School Physical Science—both far exceeding district and state averages. However, proficiency in standard grade-level subjects is more modest, ranging from 36% in 8th-grade science to 55.2% in 8th-grade math, and the school trails its district in every standard subject. The school has also seen year-over-year declines in these areas, which contributed to its state ranking slipping from 80th (2023-2024) to 145th (2025-2026) out of roughly 580 schools. Despite this recent dip, the school remains in the 75th percentile statewide with a 4-star rating.
For parents, the key takeaway is a school with exceptional advanced-track programs but a general curriculum that may need attention. With 71.49% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, Pine Grove Middle School still manages to outperform state averages in most subjects, a notable achievement. The school also benefits from a favorable 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio and per-student spending of $12,925. Attendance is a clear bright spot, with chronic absenteeism at just 12.5%—well below the state's 17.7%. This combination of strong advanced coursework, reasonable resources, and good attendance suggests a school with solid foundations, though families should be aware that standard grade-level performance has room for improvement.
Thank you for your feedback!