Bibb County School District students continue to make steady academic progress, according to Georgia Milestones test scores for 2025-26. Overall, students demonstrated marked improvement in math and maintained or demonstrated improvement in the science and social studies content areas.  

The Georgia Department of Education instituted new English Language Arts standards during the 2025-26 school year and, therefore, test data for ELA will not be released until fall.  

Bibb students showed increases in the number of students scoring proficient and above on 7 of the 10 End of Grade (EOG) exams administered to elementary and middle grades students. Also, Bibb County high school students showed significant increases in the number of students scoring proficient and above on the Algebra and U.S. History End of Course (EOC) exams.  

“The data from the spring administration of Georgia Milestones provides evidence of continued development and achievement across grade bands,” said Superintendent Dr. Dan A. Sims. “Our schools are ‘Pushing the Promise’ of achievement for every student by raising the bar for academic rigor and analyzing student data to implement intentional intervention, supports and enrichment throughout the school year. Not only are the Milestones results cause for celebration in our individual schools and throughout the District, but it provides us with benchmarks that we can use to guide further growth and learning for all our students.” 

The 2025-26 results mark the second straight year of significant improvement in math scores with Grades 3-7 showing district-level improvements of 3 to 6 percentage points each. The largest gains came in elementary math, led by a 9.8 percentage point increase in fifth-grade students scoring at the developing level or higher. 

Additionally, the District’s third- and fourth-grade math scores increased by 6.4 percentage points and 8.3 percentage points, respectively.

“The success of our Georgia Milestones results demonstrates what is possible when high expectations, strong instruction, and collaborative leadership come together. These results are a testament to the hard work of our students, the unwavering dedication of our teachers and school leaders, and the steadfast support of our Executive Officers, whose partnership helps create engaging, high-quality learning experiences that drive student success every day,” said Dr. Tamara Candis, Associate Superintendent of Schools.  

Nineteen of 21 elementary schools showed gains in math with 10 schools producing gains of 5 percentage points or more. Notable increases are below: 

• Heard Elementary: Students scoring at proficient learner and above increased by nearly 11 percentage points from the previous year.   

• Hartley Elementary: Students scoring at proficient learner and above increased by 10 percentage points from the previous year.  

Hartley Elementary Principal Dr. Chanelle Sweet-Dixon said, “Our students’ success on the Georgia Milestones is a direct reflection of the unwavering commitment of our teachers, staff, students and families to excellence every day. At Hartley Elementary School, our Mission Possible mindset has kept us focused on high-quality instruction, strong relationships, and the belief that every child can achieve at high levels.” 

• Carter Elementary: Students scoring at proficient learner and above increased by 10 percentage points from the previous year. Notably, Carter consistently beat state averages. In fifth grade math, more than 60 percent of Carter students scored at the proficient level or above, as compared to a 44 percent mark across the state. Additionally, 30.4 percent of Carter’s fifth graders scored at the distinguished level, nearly double the state’s average of 16.9 percent. 

• Williams Elementary: Students scoring at proficient learner and above increased by 9 percentage points from the previous year.  

• Taylor Elementary and Bruce Elementary: Students scoring at proficient learner and above increased by 8 percentage points from the previous year.  

On the science Milestones, the percentage of fifth grade students scoring proficient or higher increased by 3 percentage points with 11 elementary schools showing increases from the previous year. Notable increases are below:  

• Porter Elementary: Students scoring at proficient learner and above increased by 24 percentage points from the previous year. 

• Ingram-Pye Elementary: Students scoring at proficient learner and above increased by 17 percentage points from the previous year. 

• Vineville Academy of the Arts: Students scoring at proficient learner and above increased by 16 percentage points from the previous year.

In middle school, scores for math and Physical Science increased while 8th grade science and social studies achievement was similar to prior years. Below are notable increases in middle school Milestones scores.  

• Ballard-Hudson Middle School: Students scoring at proficient learner and above in Algebra increased by 30 percentage points from the previous year.  

“This growth reflects our school's commitment to rigorous instruction, high expectations, and continuous improvement. Our Algebra teacher is laser-focused on student data and allows the data to drive the instruction and support that students receive in the classroom,” said Principal Dr. Latrina Pennamon-Nash.    

• Miller Magnet Middle School: Students scoring at proficient learner and above in Algebra increased by 29 percentage points from the previous year. With 81.6 percent of students scoring developing and above, and 51.7 percent proficient and above, Miller beat the state averages in both areas. 

• Appling Middle School: Students scoring at proficient learner and above in Physical Science increased by 14 percentage points and students scoring at proficient learner and above in math increased by 5 percentage points from the previous year.  

• Weaver Middle School and Howard Middle School: Students scoring at proficient learner and above in 7th grade math increased by 9 percentage points from the previous year.  

At the high school level, scores increased in Algebra Concepts and Connections and U.S. History for students scoring proficient and above when compared to the previous year’s performance results. Several schools showed significant increases from the previous year. 

• VIP Academy: Students scoring proficient learner or above in Algebra increased by 26 percentage points compared to the previous year.  

• Howard High School: Students scoring proficient learner and above in Biology increased by 10 percentage points compared to the previous year.  

• Rutland High School: Students scoring proficient learner or above in Algebra increased by 7 percentage points compared to the previous year.  

Principal Dr. Wendy Pooler said, “Rutland High School’s 7 percentage point increase can be attributed to a  deliberate focus on high-quality, standards-based instruction and consistent monitoring of student learning. 

Teachers prioritized clear learning targets and success criteria, used formative assessment data to identify learning  gaps, and adjusted instruction through targeted interventions and small-group support.” 

• Northeast High School: Students scoring proficient learner and above in U.S. History increased by 5  percentage points compared to the previous year.  

• Westside High School: Students scoring proficient learner and above in Algebra increased by 8 percentage  points compared to the previous year.  

Students take Georgia Milestones End of Grade (EOG) tests in grades 3-8, and Georgia Milestones End of Course (EOC) tests in identified high school courses. Students are assessed along four levels of achievement: beginning  learners, developing learners, proficient learners, and distinguished learners.