Lamar County Schools is making strong academic gains, according to newly released data from the Georgia Department of Education. The 2025 College & Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) shows that every school in the district not only improved, but grew at a faster rate than the state in nearly every major category.
CCRPI is the state of Georgia’s accountability system that evaluates how well schools prepare students for long-term success. Scores are derived from a blend of achievement, growth, readiness indicators, and graduation rate. Lamar County Schools says it is pleased with the results from last year and hopes to continue the upward trend.
By the Numbers
The data show steady momentum across every grade band. In Content Mastery Lamar County High School posted the largest gain at nearly ten points. Lamar County Middle School followed with an increase of 4.8, the primary school rose by 4.2, and the elementary school recorded a 3.4-point improvement.
Growth trends were equally strong in the Progress category. Lamar County Middle School continued its impressive run of exceptional results, earning a Progress score above 90 for the third straight year. The high school made one of the district’s biggest leaps with a surge of 29.1 points, while the elementary school climbed nearly ten points in the same category.
The district also posted strong results in the Closing Gaps category, which measures improvement among all student subgroups. Lamar County High School earned a perfect score of 100. Lamar County Primary School scored 95, and the middle school finished at 90.4. Lamar County Elementary School showed one of the biggest jumps in the district, rising more than twelve points to 81.6.
Gains were also reflected in Readiness indicators such as literacy, attendance, enrichment participation, and accelerated course opportunities. The high school saw the largest increase at 7.9 points, and the primary school followed with four points.
LCHS reported an 88.5% graduation rate, higher than the state average of 87.2% and the school’s second-highest rate in the past six years.
Superintendent Dr. Jessica Watson praised the entire district for the favorable report, saying, “Our faculty, staff, and students demonstrate incredible commitment every single day to ensure consistent growth across all content areas and grade levels. I would also like to extend gratitude for our parents, whose support at home strengthens the work we do each day.”
Grant Turner is the editor of the Barnesville Buzz and an educator, coach, and writer based in Barnesville, Georgia. He shares stories that bridge community, faith, and personal growth. In addition to teaching and coaching, Grant is Director of Musical Worship and a Sunday School teacher at New Hope Baptist Church in Zebulon, Georgia. He lives in Barnesville with his wife, Haley.
