Tift County

The Tift County school district in Georgia consists of 11 schools, including 8 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school. The district faces significant challenges related to poverty, with all schools having 100% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. However, the data also highlights pockets of success and the potential for improvement across the district.

Among the standout schools in Tift County are G.O. Bailey Elementary School, which has the highest SchoolDigger rating of 4 stars and consistently outperforms the district and state averages on state assessments, particularly in mathematics. Eighth Street Middle School also stands out, with a 3-star rating and strong performance on Algebra I assessments. While Tift County High School only has a 2-star rating, it boasts a 93.3% four-year graduation rate, which is above the state average.

Overall, the Tift County school district faces significant challenges, with most schools underperforming the state averages on the Georgia Milestones assessments. However, the data suggests that factors beyond just socioeconomic status, such as school leadership and instructional practices, may be playing a role in student outcomes. By understanding the strategies employed at the district's highest-performing schools, Tift County may be able to develop targeted interventions to address the equity and achievement gaps observed across the district.