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Excellent

#222 of 2,268 schools in GA

Top 10% in state

Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy

School · State Specialty Schools II- Southwest Georgia S.T.E.M. Char

185 Pecan St, Shellman, GA 39886

Charter

Enrollment

516

Student-Teacher

12.9:1

Score

8.2

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Georgia schools

#3 of 47

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy

Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy is a public school in Shellman, GA, part of the State Specialty Schools II- Southwest Georgia S.T.E.M. Char.

The school serves approximately 516 students in grades Pre-K – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 90.3th percentile among GA schools — an above average rating overall. Students demonstrate 26% proficiency in math, 16 points below the state average and 32% in reading/language arts, 10 points below the state average.

The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $38,897, where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The school is situated in a distant rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Located in a rural area, Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy 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 Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+4.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics8.4Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.1%
Math vs. State Avg+5.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.7 pts
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected+20.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,863

Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy — Students at Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 25.8%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 31.5%
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
14%
ELA
26%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
34%
2022
Math
24%
ELA
30%
2024
Math
47.3%
ELA
36.1%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy Compares

See how Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
90th percentile in GA
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

Location

185 Pecan St, Shellman, GA 39886

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. BYNE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 25.5 miles away, in nearby Albany), with a very similar rating. Another option is Pataula Charter Academy (rated 6.4/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Edison), a more accessible option. Additionally, TERRELL ACADEMY (rated 5.4/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Dawson), a more accessible option. For more schools in Shellman, see our Shellman schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Randolph County Elementary School Cuthbert 10.6 mi 4.5
Terrell Regional Youth Detention Center Dawson 10.8 mi
TERRELL ACADEMY Dawson 10.9 mi 5.4
Cooper-Carver Elementary School Dawson 11.7 mi 7.8
Terrell High School Dawson 11.9 mi 7.3
Terrell Middle School Dawson 11.9 mi 6.0
Calhoun County Elementary School Edison 15.1 mi 7.7
Calhoun County High School Edison 15.1 mi 5.2
Calhoun County Middle School Edison 15.1 mi 6.3
Pataula Charter Academy Edison 15.4 mi 6.4
Randolph Clay High School Cuthbert 14.7 mi 7.7
Randolph County Middle School Cuthbert 14.8 mi 7.3
Webster County Elementary/Middle School Preston 21.2 mi 5.5
Webster County High School Preston 21.2 mi 6.3
Stewart County High School Lumpkin 21.5 mi 5.4
Stewart County Elementary School Lumpkin 21.5 mi 7.3
Stewart County Middle School Lumpkin 21.5 mi 7.1
Live Oak Elementary School Albany 23.4 mi 4.4
Robert A. Cross Middle Magnet Albany 25.2 mi 9.2
BYNE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Albany 25.5 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 39886 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$38,897

Median Home Value

$96,200

Median Rent

$675/mo

Population

1,303

College Educated

15.9%

Homeownership

63.4%

Avg Commute

27.7 min

Poverty Rate

29.5%

Median Age

40.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy has a median household income of $38,897. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $96,200, with a median rent of $675/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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
NOTRE DAME ACADEMY Duluth, GA 8.1
AL FALAH ACADEMY Norcross, GA 7.6
AUGUSTA PREPARATORY DAY SCHOOL Martinez, GA 7.6
Atlanta Classical Academy Atlanta, GA 7.6
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Stockbridge, GA 7.5
PINECREST ACADEMY Cumming, GA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy

What grades does Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy serve?

Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy?

Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy has an enrollment of approximately 516 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy rank in GA?

Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy is ranked #222 out of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy has 25.8% math proficiency and 31.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy a charter school?

Yes, Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy a Title I school?

No, Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy?

98.1% of students at Southwest Georgia S.t.e.m. Charter Academy 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
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
516
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Randolph County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

State Specialty Schools II- Southwest Georgia S.T.E.M. Char
District Enrollment
516
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,177
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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