Summary:
Zip code 31815, serving the Lumpkin, Georgia area, is home to three public schools in the Stewart County district: Stewart County Elementary School (PK-5), Stewart County Middle School (6-8), and Stewart County High School (9-12), all serving predominantly low-income families.
Stewart County Elementary School is the clear standout, having jumped from the 23rd to the 53rd percentile in state rankings over two years. Its 3rd grade math proficiency rate of 78.9% is more than 30 points above the state average, and chronic absenteeism is just 2.4%—far below the state's 17.7%. However, scores drop sharply by grade level, falling to 50% in 4th grade and 26.1% in 5th grade math. In contrast, Stewart County Middle School struggles severely, with 0% proficiency in 8th grade science and social studies, and math scores running 16-30 points below state averages. It also has the district's highest chronic absenteeism rate at 10.8%.
Stewart County High School presents a paradox: it boasts a perfect 100% graduation rate while posting End of Course exam proficiency rates roughly half the state average (e.g., 25% in Algebra I vs. 48.1% statewide). Per-student spending is exceptionally high—$31,132 at the elementary school and $27,380 at the high school—yet outcomes remain mixed, suggesting money alone isn't solving the challenges of concentrated poverty. The middle school spends the least ($21,954) and performs the worst. Year-over-year data shows the elementary school improving across all subjects while middle and high school scores generally decline, creating a "leaky pipeline" where early gains haven't yet reached upper grades. With only 82 middle school students, small cohorts can cause dramatic swings, so these figures should be interpreted with caution.
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