Bulloch County, GA - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Bulloch County

Bulloch County Schools is a district of moderate size serving all grades from pre-K through high school. The enrollment draws from both Statesboro, a college town anchored by Georgia Southern University, and surrounding rural communities including Brooklet, Portal, Pembroke, and smaller towns scattered across the county. The district operates a network of elementary schools (some serving early grades only, others K-5), two middle schools, and two high schools, allowing parents to choose from distinct feeder patterns depending on where they live.

Academic performance across the district sits well below the state midpoint. In math, proficiency rates range from the mid-30s to near half in the upper elementary and middle grades, with eighth grade showing slightly stronger results. English language arts proficiency similarly ranges from the mid-30s to around 40 percent across the tested grades. Science proficiency in fifth grade is in the upper 30s; in eighth grade it drops to under 30 percent. Social studies in eighth grade sits at 40 percent. These proficiency numbers indicate that most students are not meeting grade-level standards in core subjects. A parent considering the district would want to have a direct conversation with the schools about remediation and support structures for students working below grade level, and about which schools or programs within the district, if any, show stronger results.

The district's student body is racially mixed, with African American students comprising a substantial share of enrollment and white students also well represented, alongside smaller populations of Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial students. Free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility data was not available, so we cannot assess economic need from that metric. Rates of special education enrollment and English learner enrollment were not reported.

In the housing market, median home values across the district's service areas are moderate for Georgia, and home price growth year-over-year has been modest. Rental availability is limited (data covered only two zip codes), but where available rental rates are also moderate. Property tax affordability is a live issue: the Board of Education raised the school millage rate substantially in August 2025, increasing the annual property tax burden on homeowners by a notable percentage. For a household considering a home purchase in the district, this represents a lasting cost increase. Median household income in the region sits in the mid-range for the state.

Capital investment is underway. Voters approved ESPLOST VI, a local sales tax for education, in November 2025, authorizing funding for major building projects including a new Southeast Bulloch High School and a reconfiguration of feeder patterns to relieve crowding in the southern part of the county. This signals the district's intention to modernize facilities and restructure grade bands, though the timeline for these changes extends beyond the immediate term.

Curriculum changes are also in motion. The district has adopted science-of-reading approaches to elementary literacy instruction in compliance with recent Georgia law, supported by teacher training. New state mathematics standards rolled out during the 2023-2024 school year with accompanying professional development for teachers. These changes affect how reading and math are taught at every level and represent a shift in instructional practice across the system.

Comparison data within Bulloch County is limited because the county contains only two districts, making peer benchmarking difficult. No graduation rate data was provided for the district, so it is not possible to assess college and career readiness pathways from the information available.

The district serves a sprawling, geographically dispersed population with both urban and rural character. Families choosing among Bulloch County schools should plan to visit individual schools, review their specific programs, and discuss with administrators how the district is addressing the gap between current proficiency levels and state standards, particularly in mathematics and science.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

11,068

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 8%

Black 38%

White 47%

Asian 1%

Two+ 5%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

Schools in this District

15 schools are officially reported under this district.

Brooklet Elementary School

Portal Middle/High School

Stilson Elementary School

Statesboro High School

Julia P. Bryant Elementary School

Sallie Zetterower Elementary School

Mattie Lively Elementary School

William James Middle School

Langston Chapel Elementary School

Langston Chapel Middle School

Mill Creek Elementary School

Southeast Bulloch Middle School

Portal Elementary School

Nevils Elementary School

Southeast Bulloch High School

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

41%

Grade 3

47%

Grade 4

43%

Grade 5

37%

Grade 6

36%

Grade 7

46%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

34%

Grade 3

37%

Grade 4

40%

Grade 5

35%

Grade 6

35%

Grade 7

37%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

39%

Grade 5

29%

Grade 8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

40%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$291,530

Year-over-year change+1.2%

Range across 10 ZIP codes$133K to $325K

vs. state typical0.87x

vs. national typical0.79x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (10 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
30461	Statesboro	$319K	-0.2%	24.1%
30415	Brooklet	$325K	+2.0%	23.5%
30458	Statesboro	$261K	+1.7%	21.1%
31321	Pembroke	$284K	+1.0%	10.5%
30450	Portal	$231K	+1.3%	8.2%
30452		$287K	+0.9%	7.9%
31308	Ellabell	$319K	+0.3%	2.4%
30425	Garfield	$194K	+7.1%	1.5%
30471		$133K	+4.1%	0.8%
30439	Metter	$220K	+5.7%	0.0%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,582/mo

Year-over-year change+2.5%

Range across 2 ZIP codes$1,472 to $1,678/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (2 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
30461	Statesboro	$1,678	—	24.1%
30458	Statesboro	$1,472	+2.5%	21.1%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,471/mo

Home price / national median income3.5x

Annual rent / national median income22.7%

Rent exceeds est. mortgage by$111/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$333,559 (-1.2% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.