Page 5 - Coffee County Board of Education - Magazine 2023

Our Community Our Schools

C offee County was established on February 9, T he Coffee County School System is comprised of

eight elementary schools (pre-kindergarten through
1854 and is named for General John E. Coffee,
a state legislator and a U. S. representative. It
grade five); one middle school (grades six through
is located in Southeast Georgia with the vast majority Ambrose Broxton eight), a ninth grade academy, one comprehensive high
located on the Satilla River sub-basin of the St. Marys- school (grades ten through twelve), one separate college
Satilla River basin. It is fourteenth in size geographically Nicholls and career academy (grades nine through twelve), and one
among the state’s 159 counties, and comprises 575.10 Douglas alternative program. The school system is governed by
square miles. Douglas is the county seat. Ambrose, ATLANTA a five-member board of education elected for a four-year
ATLANTA
Broxton, and Nicholls are also located in the county term on a non-partisan basis. The school superintendent
along with several unincorporated communities.
is appointed by the board and serves as the chief
executive officer.
The county’s population in 2023 was 43,378 and
is composed of 57.4% White, 28.6% Black, and The school system serves 7,438 students in Pre-K through
13.4% Hispanic. The population includes 27.8% grade twelve. Forty-four percent of the students are
under 19 years old, 58.1% 20-64 years old, and COLUMBUS White, 29% are Black, 22% are Hispanic, and 5% percent
14.1% 65 years or older. There are 51.8% males other. The school system employs 1,123 including 560
and 48.2% females. K-12 classroom teachers and 563 support personnel,
SAVANNAH u Early Literacy - Birth to 5
including administrators, student support staff, office
staff, and police officers. Sixty-seven percent of classroom u Pre-Kindergarten Program for 4 year-olds
Coffee County is a very progressive community. teachers hold a master’s degree or higher. The teacher u Early Intervention Program Grades K – 5
For much of the county’s history, it was known retention rate has declined from 92% in 2021 to 84% in 2023. u Title I Grades K – 12

for its agricultural products - tobacco, cotton, It is the goal of the Coffee County school system to u Migrant Education Program Grades Pre-K – 12
and peanuts. Today, agriculture still plays a provide students with a sequential, challenging curriculum u English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
role but manufacturing, distribution, material moving, that builds on a solid foundation and develops the skills Program Grades K – 12
and proficiencies needed for a successful career and
service occupations, education, healthcare, and social productive life. The K-12 curriculum includes the Georgia u Special Education Program for Students with
services are major components of the local economy and Standards, Career Pathways, and additional state-required Exceptionalities Pre-K – 12
provide a majority of the employment opportunities. curriculum. The school system provides a solid core u Gifted Programs Grades K – 12
curriculum that is supported by a myriad of resources
and programs to help each student maximize his or u Career Exploration Opportunities Grades 6 – 8
her potential. Course offerings include language arts,
mathematics, science, health/physical education, social u Remedial Education Program Grades 6 – 12
The median household income is $45,636 compared to Educational data for 2023 indicates 80.2% of persons 25 studies, fine arts, foreign language, and career, technical, u Honors/Advanced Placement Courses Grades 9 – 12
$69,506 for the state of Georgia. The cost of living is more years old or older are high school graduates and 15.8% and agricultural education. This is accomplished through u Career, Technical and Agricultural Education
than 20% lower than the national average. The largest hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Coffee County has the coordination of state and federal programs such as (CTAE) Grades 9 – 12
those listed at right.
several licensed day care centers and two private schools.
employers include the Coffee Correctional Facility, Coffee Approximately 225 school-aged children are home
Regional Medical Center, Diamond Builders Modular & schooled. The county has two public post-secondary The student assessment program includes the state- u NJROTC – Grades 9 – 12
Cargo, Elixir Door & Metal, Elixir Extrusion, Fleetwood institutions, South Georgia State College and Wiregrass mandated Georgia Milestones End of Grade (EOG) tests for u Dual Enrollment at the Secondary Level with South Georgia
Homes, Live Oak Homes, Optima Chemical, PCC Georgia Technical College. grades 3-8. Georgia Milestones End of Course (EOC) tests State College and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
Airfoils, Pilgrim’s, Premium Waters, Southwire, Spectrum are administered to grades 9-12 students in four subject u Technology Integration
Distribution Center, Sunbelt, Wal-Mart Dispatch Center, and The property tax millage rate is not significantly different in areas. Benchmark and other formative assessments are
Wal-Mart Distribution. any of the taxing jurisdictions in Coffee County. administered periodically to determine students’ progress u Virtual Learning/Georgia E-learning Online Courses
while pursuing their program of study.

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