Summary:
Zip code 31774 in Ocilla, Georgia, is home to just one elementary school, Irwin County Elementary School, which serves grades PK through 5 and enrolls 760 students within the Irwin County school district.
As the only school in the area, Irwin County Elementary is the sole focus for parents. The school serves a student body where 100% qualify for free or reduced lunch, and it invests a robust $13,639 per student with a favorable 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Academically, the picture is mixed. In mathematics, 3rd graders nearly match the state average (45.9% vs. 48.3% proficient), but the gap widens significantly by grade level—4th graders trail by 7.4 points and 5th graders by a substantial 16.5 points. The most encouraging trend is a 10.9-point jump in 3rd grade math proficiency year-over-year, suggesting early interventions may be working. However, 5th grade science dropped 8 points to 39.3% proficient, and chronic absenteeism sits at 20.4%, above the state average of 17.7%. The school’s state ranking has improved for three consecutive years (713th to 667th), though its percentile has held steady around 43-45%.
For parents, the key takeaway is that Irwin County Elementary offers strong resources and a positive early-grade math trajectory, but faces persistent challenges in upper-grade math and literacy. Using the most recent ELA data (2024-2025), proficiency rates range from 25.8% to 35.8% across grades 3-5, lagging state averages by 7-9 points and trailing the school’s own math scores. The widening math gap by grade level and elevated absenteeism are the most pressing concerns, while the improving ranking and 3rd grade gains provide hopeful signs. Overall, this is a school investing meaningfully in its students, but one where academic growth in later grades and consistent attendance will be critical areas for family and school focus.
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