The top reported proficiency rate is 48% in Social studies. The lowest is 17% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Taylor County Middle School
Taylor County Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 in Butler, Georgia, a small rural county seat in west-central Georgia where cotton, peaches, poultry operations, and sand mining anchor the local economy. The school sits on the edge of town along a consolidated educational campus at 52 R.L. McDougald Drive that now brings together grades 3 through 12 under one roof, a major organizational shift that took place in recent years.
The school enrolls a small student body, roughly evenly split across its three grade levels. About three-quarters of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic circumstances of the community. The student body is fairly evenly divided between Black and white students, with smaller populations of multiracial and Hispanic students and very limited Asian enrollment.
State testing results show meaningful challenges in core academics. In math, proficiency rises across grades 6 through 8, but starts from a low base: sixth graders show the lowest rate, seventh graders improve somewhat, and eighth graders are substantially higher. English language arts proficiency hovers in a similar range across all three grades and does not climb appreciably. Science proficiency at grade 8 is notably low. Social studies proficiency at eighth grade is the school's strongest area. Overall, across all tested subjects and grades, the school's proficiency rate sits in the lower range, and a parent may want to look into current interventions and supports the school has in place to understand how these results are being addressed.
The school's context in Taylor County itself is distinctive. The district recently consolidated three separate buildings into a single grades 3-12 facility, which means your child would be on a shared campus with older and younger students rather than in a standalone middle school. An athletic complex including a football stadium, baseball and softball fields, and a running track was put out for bid in early 2025, representing a significant capital investment tied to the new campus. The district also has a General Obligation Bond Referendum under consideration, which if approved would authorize new debt repaid through an annual property tax levy and would fund future projects.
Housing in Butler itself is modest and affordable relative to state benchmarks. The area has experienced population decline over the long term, with new development limited; most housing is single-family with some mobile homes. The town itself is small and walkable in its historic downtown, but car-dependent beyond that core, with U.S. Highway 19 as the main route. Public transit is minimal. Major local employers include Perdue Farms, sand mining operations, a large solar facility, county government, and the school district itself.
Data on the school's special education enrollment, English learner population, staff, discipline practices, attendance, and course access was not available. The school is a regular public school and is not a charter or magnet program.
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