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Average

#1365 of 2,268 schools in GA

Early County High School

High School · Early County

12020 Columbia St, Blakely, GA 39823

Enrollment

515

Student-Teacher

10.7:1

Score

5.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Blakely

#1 of 3

public schools

Georgia high schools

#205 of 443

In district

#1 of 3

Early County

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Early County High School

Early County High School is a regular public high school located in Blakely, Georgia, on the remote and rural Columbia Street. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 515 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 10.7:1 with 48 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its small setting, Early County High School is working to provide quality education for its students, though it currently ranks at 38th percentile among Georgia schools with a state ranking of #1410 out of 2271 high schools.

Academically, the school has room for growth, with only 24% of students meeting proficiency standards in ELA and reading, and just 15% proficient or above in math. Despite these challenges, the supportive rural community surrounding Early County High School fosters a close-knit environment where teachers can give individualized attention to each student's needs. The school is situated in a remote area, which means it relies heavily on its local community for support and resources.

This tight-knit setting contributes to a strong sense of camaraderie among students and staff alike.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Early County High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Early County High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.1Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency29.2%
Math vs. State Avg-24.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.6 pts
Overall Proficiency23%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-9.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College Readiness4.0Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,426

Early County High School — Students at Early County High School score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 14.6%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 23.9%
School
State
41.8%

Based on 8 test records from GA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
26%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2024
Math
17.7%
ELA
29.2%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.2/10.

How Early County High School Compares

See how Early County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
40th percentile in GA
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers

Location

12020 Columbia St, Blakely, GA 39823

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Early County High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Randolph Clay High School (rated 7.7/10, 23.7 miles away, in nearby Cuthbert), which scores notably higher. Another option is Miller County High School (rated 7.3/10, 18.5 miles away, in nearby Colquitt), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Houston County High School (rated 6.3/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Columbia), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Blakely, see our Blakely schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Early County Middle School Blakely 0.1 mi 5.6
Early County Elementary School Blakely 1.1 mi 5.4
Houston County High School Columbia 11.6 mi 6.3
SOUTHWEST GEORGIA ACADEMY Damascus 13.7 mi 5.6
Clay County Middle School Fort Gaines 18.0 mi 7.2
Clay County Elementary Fort Gaines 18.0 mi 8.4
Pataula Charter Academy Edison 18.0 mi 6.4
Calhoun County Elementary School Edison 18.4 mi 7.7
Calhoun County High School Edison 18.4 mi 5.2
Calhoun County Middle School Edison 18.4 mi 6.3
Miller County Elementary School Colquitt 18.5 mi 7.7
Miller County Middle School Colquitt 18.5 mi 8.6
Miller County High School Colquitt 18.5 mi 7.3
Randolph County Middle School Cuthbert 23.7 mi 7.3
Randolph Clay High School Cuthbert 23.7 mi 7.7
Seminole County Elementary School Donalsonville 23.8 mi 7.4
Ashford High School Ashford 21.6 mi 5.0
Ashford Middle School Ashford 21.6 mi 5.6
Webb Elementary School Webb 20.9 mi 7.8
Ashford Elementary School Ashford 21.8 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 39823 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,875

Median Home Value

$136,700

Median Rent

$783/mo

Population

8,635

College Educated

15.6%

Homeownership

67.8%

Poverty Rate

21.7%

Median Age

40.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Early County High School has a median household income of $57,875. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $136,700, with a median rent of $783/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Gordon Lee High School Chickamauga, GA 5.9
CRISTO REY ATLANTA JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL Atlanta, GA 6.1
Mt. Zion High School Carrollton, GA 5.7
Carver High School Atlanta, GA 6.2
Bleckley County High School Cochran, GA 5.6
Dade County High School Trenton, GA 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Early County High School

What grades does Early County High School serve?

Early County High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Early County High School?

Early County High School has an enrollment of approximately 515 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Early County High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Early County High School is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Early County High School rank in GA?

Early County High School is ranked #1365 out of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Early County High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Early County High School has a composite rating of 5.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Early County High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Early County High School has 14.6% math proficiency and 23.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Early County High School a charter school?

No, Early County High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Early County High School a Title I school?

No, Early County High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Early County High School?

77.9% of students at Early County High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,878/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Blakely). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
515
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Early County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Early County
District Enrollment
1,542
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,154
District Rank
#1 of 3

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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