Schools in Zip Code 31650

Zip code 31650 in Willacoochee, GA is served by a single elementary school, Willacoochee Elementary School, which enrolls 167 students in grades PK through 5 within the Atkinson County school district.

This small, rural school serves a predominantly low-income population, with nearly 90% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. The school spends a substantial $19,028 per student and maintains a favorable 10.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Academically, the school shows a striking split by grade level. In the most recent 2025-2026 data, 3rd and 4th graders outperformed state averages in mathematics by 9 and 13 percentage points respectively, with 57.2% and 63.1% proficient. However, 5th grade performance drops dramatically, with only 27.8% proficient in math (16 points below the state) and just 11.1% proficient in science—a 33-point gap versus the state average. This pattern was consistent in the prior year, where 3rd grade math exceeded the state by 20 points while 4th grade lagged by 17 points, suggesting a systemic issue rather than a single weak cohort.

Chronic absenteeism is a significant concern, affecting 23.4% of students—71% higher than the district rate of 13.7% and well above the state's 17.7%. The school's statewide ranking has been volatile, swinging from the 71st percentile (2023-2024) to the 40th (2024-2025) and back to the 51st (2025-2026), reflecting how small enrollments make outcomes sensitive to individual student performance. While early-grade math instruction is a clear strength, the persistent weakness in 5th-grade science and the prior year's 4th-grade ELA proficiency of just 5.3% (34 points below the state) highlight urgent areas for intervention. Despite high spending and low class sizes, the school's overall performance sits near the middle of the pack, with the most pressing needs being upper-grade science instruction, attendance improvement, and reading support.