Wheeler County, GA - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Wheeler County

Wheeler County Schools serves a small, rural district in central Georgia spanning communities including Alamo, Glenwood, Helena, and Lumber City. The system enrolls a student population that is roughly evenly split between white and Black students, with a small share of Hispanic students and very few students of other racial backgrounds. The district operates three schools covering pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade: an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school.

State assessment results show academic performance that is mixed across subjects and grades. In elementary grades, math proficiency is uneven: fourth graders perform at the higher end of the band while third, fifth, and sixth graders show substantially lower rates. Reading proficiency in grades three through five is low, though performance ticks up noticeably by sixth grade and remains in the mid-range through eighth grade. Science proficiency is notably stronger in this district, with fifth graders showing above-average performance and eighth graders at a moderate level. Social studies proficiency in eighth grade sits in the mid-range. The middle grades show particular pressure in both math and reading, with seventh-grade math proficiency especially low. Overall, the district's statewide proficiency averages sit below the midpoint in English language arts and math, though science performance is more competitive.

The district does not report free-or-reduced-price-lunch eligibility rates, so the extent of economic hardship among students is not publicly available. Enrollment data shows a stable but small student body distributed fairly evenly across grade levels.

Housing in Wheeler County is affordable relative to state and national benchmarks. Home values are modest, and the estimated monthly mortgage payment on a median home is well below the national average, making the area accessible for families on moderate incomes. This affordability reflects the rural character of the county. However, parents should be aware of a recent property-tax policy decision with school-funding implications. In early 2025, Wheeler County and its municipalities, including the city of Alamo, opted out of Georgia's statewide homestead exemption that would have capped annual assessment increases on homesteaded property to the inflation rate. Local officials cited the district's heavy reliance on property taxes from a rural base with limited industry. Because the county opted out, homeowners in the district do not receive the assessment-increase protection that homeowners in other Georgia counties do, meaning property-tax exposure tied to school funding remains higher and potentially less predictable over time.

The district's graduation rate and detailed staffing, discipline, and course-access data are not available in this summary. A parent considering the district may want to request those specifics directly from the school system.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

875

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 6%

Black 37%

White 56%

Two+ 1%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Schools in this District

3 schools are officially reported under this district.

Wheeler County High School

Wheeler County Elementary School

Wheeler County Middle School

Academic Performance

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

Mathematics

6 grades reported

43%

Grade 3

63%

Grade 4

44%

Grade 5

31%

Grade 6

24%

Grade 7

48%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

13%

Grade 3

37%

Grade 4

38%

Grade 5

43%

Grade 6

31%

Grade 7

40%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

68%

Grade 5

41%

Grade 8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

43%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

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

Home Values

Typical home value$144,266

Year-over-year change+8.5%

Range across 4 ZIP codes$105K to $157K

vs. state typical0.43x

vs. national typical0.39x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (4 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
30428	Glenwood	$157K	+11.6%	39.6%
30411	Alamo	$153K	+8.0%	37.4%
31549	Lumber City	$105K	+6.1%	17.3%
31037	Helena	$116K	-1.9%	5.7%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$728/mo

Home price / national median income1.7x

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.