Schools in Zip Code 31820

ZIP code 31820 in Midland, Georgia is home to five schools serving approximately 2,323 students, including two elementary schools, two middle schools, and one specialized facility, all within the Muscogee County district except for the detention center, which operates under the Department of Juvenile Justice.

For families, the standout choice is Mathews Elementary School, which boasts the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the area at just 1.6% and consistently outperforms its peer Midland Academy in most subjects, including a 63.1% proficiency rate in 4th grade math versus 56.5%. At the middle school level, Aaron Cohn Middle School is the clear leader, with a remarkable 100% proficiency rate on the Algebra I End of Course exam—more than double the state average—and strong 8th grade math scores (62.6% proficient) compared to just 25% at Midland Middle School. Midland Middle, which serves a student body where 100% qualify for free/reduced lunch, has the highest chronic absenteeism rate (26.1%) and has remained stagnant in state rankings for three years. Aaron Cohn Regional Youth Detention Center is a unique facility serving just 19 students with a 3.1:1 student-teacher ratio, though its only available test score shows 0% proficiency in Algebra I, reflecting the challenging circumstances of its population.

One notable finding is that per-student spending does not predict success—Midland Middle spends the most ($14,768 per student) yet performs the worst, while Aaron Cohn Middle spends the least ($12,239) and achieves the best results. Chronic absenteeism emerges as a strong predictor of outcomes, with the top-performing schools showing rates far below the district average of 19.5%. While the Muscogee County district ranks in the bottom quarter of Georgia, families in this ZIP code have access to schools like Mathews Elementary and Aaron Cohn Middle that significantly outperform their district peers, demonstrating that strong education is achievable even in a lower-ranked district.