MACON, Ga. — Georgia released a list of the bottom 25% of schools in the state, but this year, the list is a little more important.
After Georgia's legislature passed the "Georgia Promise Scholarship," students who live in these zones could soon receive $6,500 in scholarships to attend private school instead.
Advocates say the scholarship gives parents more options in making the best educational choices for their students. Critics think it will take money from public education while not providing the resources to improve the state's public schools.
Funds for students are not yet available. The application opens in early 2025 and funds will become available after July 1, 2025.
A family must make less than four times the federal poverty level to qualify, which equals $125,000 for a family of four.
The student must be enrolled in an eligible Georgia public school for two semesters to qualify or be a rising kindergartener.
These are the Central Georgia schools that are eligible for the Georgia Promise Scholarship.
Bibb County
- Appling Middle School
- Ballard Hudson Middle School
- Bernd Elementary School
- Bruce Elementary School
- Central High School
- Hartley Elementary School
- Heritage Elementary School
- Howard Middle School
- Ingram/Pye Elementary School
- John Robert Lewis Elementary School
- Northeast High School
- Porter Elementary School
- Rosa Taylor Elementary School
- Rutland High School
- Rutland Middle School
- Southfield Elementary School
- Southwest High School
- Union Elementary School
- Veterans Elementary School
- Weaver Middle School
- Westside High School
- Williams Elementary School
Houston County
- Huntington Middle School
- Miller Elementary School
- Northside Middle School
- Parkwood Elementary School
Crawford:
- Crawford County Elementary
- Crawford County High School
- Crawford County Middle School
Hancock County
- Hancock Central High School
- Hancock Central Middle School
- Lewis Elementary School
Macon County
- Macon County Elementary School
- Macon County High School
- Macon County Middle School
Peach County
- Fort Valley Middle School
- Hunt Elementary School
- Peach County High School
Washington County
- Ridge Road Elementary School
- T. J. Elder Middle School
- Washington County High School
Twiggs County
- Twiggs County High School
- Twiggs Middle School
Taylor County
- Taylor County High School
Telfair County
- Telfair County Elementary
Putnam County
- Putnam County High School
Laurens County:
- East Laurens High School