Summary:
Zip code 39851 is home to just one middle school, Clay County Middle School, a very small rural school in Fort Gaines serving grades 6-8 with only 48 students total.
This school stands out for its remarkable turnaround. In just two years, it climbed from the bottom 4% of Georgia middle schools to the 40th percentile—a jump of 205 spots in the state rankings. The school serves a 100% economically disadvantaged student population, yet maintains an exceptionally low 5.7:1 student-teacher ratio and spends an extraordinary $42,618 per student. Attendance is a clear strength, with a chronic absenteeism rate of just 6.3%, less than half the state average of 17.7%. Academically, the school's biggest bright spot is 8th grade science, where 40% of students are proficient—well above the state's 28.8%. However, 8th grade social studies is a critical weakness at only 6.7% proficiency compared to the state's 38.8%, and recent ELA scores (36.8% in 6th grade, 20% in 8th grade) also trail state averages. The most recent data for 2025-2026 shows 7th grade math at 40% proficiency, nearly matching the state's 42%.
Because this is the only middle school in the Clay County district, school and district metrics are identical. Parents should keep in mind that with only about 16 students per grade, a single student's test performance can shift proficiency rates by 6-7 percentage points, making year-to-year comparisons volatile. The school's high per-student spending and tiny class sizes haven't yet produced consistently above-average results, but the strong upward trajectory and excellent attendance suggest meaningful progress is underway. ELA scores for the current year will be released in December, which will provide a clearer picture of whether the improvement trend continues across all subjects.
Thank you for your feedback!