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Excellent

#308 of 2,268 schools in GA

Top 14% in state

Lanier County Middle School

Middle School · Lanier County

52 W Patten Ave, Lakeland, GA 31635

Enrollment

373

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

8.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lakeland

#1 of 3

public schools

Georgia middle schools

#39 of 477

In district

#1 of 3

Lanier County

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Lanier County Middle School

Lanier County Middle School serves 373 students in grades 6-8 in the rural community of Lakeland, Georgia. With 27 full-time teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 79th percentile statewide at #470 out of 2,271 Georgia schools.

Students show steady progress in core subjects, with 39% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 37% reaching proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to supporting student growth across all grade levels. Located on West Patten Avenue, the school serves a community where the median household income is $40,704 and median home values average $166,400.

The surrounding area faces economic challenges, with a poverty rate of 33.1% and 17% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Despite these socioeconomic factors, Lanier County Middle School continues to focus on providing quality education to its students. The school's rural setting in this close-knit community of approximately 7,278 residents offers students a familiar, small-town educational environment where teachers and staff can build meaningful relationships with families.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Lanier County Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics8.1Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.9%
Math vs. State Avg+6.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.1 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+7.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
Resources & Environment5.9Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,294

Lanier County Middle School — Students at Lanier County Middle School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 37.4%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 39.2%
School
State
41.8%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
39%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
35%
ELA
34%
2024
Math
48.4%
ELA
44.9%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Lanier County Middle School Compares

See how Lanier County Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
87th percentile in GA
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

52 W Patten Ave, Lakeland, GA 31635

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lanier County Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pine Grove Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Valdosta), a more accessible option. Another option is Berrien Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Nashville), a more accessible option. Additionally, Newbern Middle School (rated 5.2/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Valdosta), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lakeland, see our Lakeland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Lanier County High School Lakeland 0.0 mi 7.2
Lanier County Elementary School Lakeland 0.3 mi 7.5
HIGHLAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Valdosta 11.7 mi 6.2
Pine Grove Middle School Valdosta 12.1 mi 7.0
Pine Grove Elementary School Valdosta 12.2 mi 8.2
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Valdosta 12.6 mi 5.2
Valdosta High School Valdosta 14.8 mi 6.3
VALDOSTA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Valdosta 14.9 mi
Dewar Elementary Valdosta 15.0 mi 7.1
Scintilla Charter Academy Valdosta 15.3 mi 7.8
Berrien Academy Performance Learning Center Nashville 15.4 mi 7.1
Newbern Middle School Valdosta 15.6 mi 5.2
Berrien High School Nashville 15.9 mi 4.7
Sallas Mahone Elementary Valdosta 15.5 mi 5.2
OPEN BIBLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Valdosta 15.6 mi 4.9
Berrien Middle School Nashville 16.2 mi 7.0
Berrien Elementary School Nashville 16.4 mi 8.1
W.G. Nunn Elementary Valdosta 16.5 mi 6.4
Berrien Primary School Nashville 16.8 mi 5.4
J. L. Lomax Elementary School Valdosta 17.4 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 31635 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$43,815

Median Home Value

$168,900

Median Rent

$864/mo

Population

6,978

College Educated

18.7%

Homeownership

68.8%

Avg Commute

21.8 min

Poverty Rate

30%

Median Age

35.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lanier County Middle School has a median household income of $43,815. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,900, with a median rent of $864/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Nahunta Elementary School Nahunta, GA 8.1
Atlanta Neighborhood Charter - Middle Atlanta, GA 8.2
Irwin County Middle School Ocilla, GA 8.0
Valley Point Middle School Dalton, GA 8.2
Pepperell Middle School Lindale, GA 7.9
Telfair County Middle School Mc Rae Helena, GA 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lanier County Middle School

What grades does Lanier County Middle School serve?

Lanier County Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Lanier County Middle School?

Lanier County Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 373 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lanier County Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Lanier County Middle School is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lanier County Middle School rank in GA?

Lanier County Middle School is ranked #308 out of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Lanier County Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lanier County Middle School has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Lanier County Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lanier County Middle School has 37.4% math proficiency and 39.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lanier County Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Lanier County Middle School a Title I school?

No, Lanier County Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lanier County Middle School?

67.8% of students at Lanier County Middle 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

Walk Score
16 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (1,248/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
373
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Lanier County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lanier County
District Enrollment
1,683
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,284
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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