Middle Schools in Savannah-Chatham County

The Savannah-Chatham County school district in Georgia is home to 9 middle schools serving students in grades 6-8. These schools vary significantly in their academic performance, with a few standout institutions like The STEM Academy at Bartlett and Coastal Middle School consistently ranking among the top middle schools in the state. However, other schools in the district, such as DeRenne Middle and Hubert Middle, struggle to meet state and district averages in core academic subjects.

The data reveals a stark divide in performance, with the highest-performing schools achieving proficiency rates over 60% in subjects like English Language Arts and Mathematics, while the lowest-performing schools lag behind at just 14-20% proficiency. This disparity appears to be closely linked to socioeconomic factors, as the schools with the highest rates of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch tend to have the lowest academic outcomes. Interestingly, the lower-performing schools also receive higher per-student funding, suggesting that simply increasing resources may not be enough to drive improvement without addressing other systemic issues.

Despite the challenges faced by many of the middle schools in Savannah-Chatham County, a few institutions have proven that high-poverty schools can succeed with the right strategies and resources. The STEM Academy at Bartlett and Coastal Middle School have consistently outperformed the district and state averages, demonstrating that with the right approach, all students can thrive regardless of their socioeconomic background.