Summary:
Zip code 31646, located in Folkston, Georgia, is served by a single elementary school—St. George Elementary School—which enrolls 198 students across grades PK–6 as part of Charlton County. With 80.3% of students eligible for free/reduced lunch, this is a high-poverty school, yet it has consistently outperformed state averages across nearly every subject and grade level. The school earned a 5-star rating in 2024–2025, ranking 58th out of 1,238 Georgia elementary schools (95th percentile), and followed that with a 4-star rating in 2025–2026, ranking 202nd out of 1,219 schools (83rd percentile).
During its peak year, St. George Elementary School posted exceptional proficiency rates, including 96.2% in 3rd grade Math, 95.2% in 5th grade Science, and 80.8% in 3rd grade ELA—all far above district and state averages. Even in 2025–2026, the school remained above state proficiency in every reported subject, though the gap narrowed. One of the school's strongest indicators is its 10.4% chronic absenteeism rate, well below the district's 14.7% and the state's 17.7%. Resource advantages include a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio and $15,761 in per-student spending, which likely contribute to the school's strong results despite high economic need.
The most important caution flag is a significant academic decline from 2024–2025 to 2025–2026. Math proficiency dropped sharply across all grades, including a 29.5-point decline in 3rd grade Math and a 37.3-point drop in 5th grade Science. Sixth grade Math was a particular weak point in 2025–2026, with only 43.8% proficiency compared to the district's 63.3%. While different cohorts take these tests each year, the magnitude of the decline is notable and worth monitoring. Still, with low chronic absenteeism, strong resources, and above-state performance across all reported areas, St. George Elementary School remains a standout school in zip code 31646.
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