Summary:
Zip code 31824, serving the Preston, Georgia area, contains just one elementary school: Webster County Elementary/Middle School, a small PK-8 institution with 170 students in the Webster County district.
This school stands out for its universal poverty rate (100% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch) and its high per-pupil spending of $23,809, paired with a favorable 9.1:1 student-teacher ratio. The school has shown improvement recently, jumping from the 22nd to 34th percentile in state rankings and earning a 2-star rating for 2025-2026, up from 1 star the prior year. Its chronic absenteeism rate of 14.8% is better than both the district (16.7%) and state (17.7%) averages—a notable bright spot given the economic challenges. In early elementary math, the school excels: 3rd graders hit 60% proficiency, beating the state average by nearly 12 points. However, performance drops sharply in upper grades, with 5th grade math at just 13% proficiency (a 47-point gap from 3rd grade) and 8th grade social studies at 0% proficiency for two consecutive years, compared to a 40% state average. Science scores also lag, particularly in 8th grade (6.7% vs. 29.7% statewide).
Given the tiny cohort sizes (roughly 15-20 students per grade), individual student performance swings can dramatically shift percentages—8th grade math dropped from 54.5% to 40% in one year, likely reflecting just a few students. The school's strengths lie in early elementary instruction and attendance, while upper-grade math, science, and social studies need significant intervention. The high spending relative to outcomes raises questions about resource allocation, though fixed costs in small rural schools inflate per-pupil figures. Overall, this is a school with clear pockets of success and critical areas for growth, showing an upward trajectory that families may find encouraging, especially for younger students.
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