Bibb County students show gains on 2026 Georgia Milestones tests

“The data from the spring administration of Georgia Milestones provides evidence of continued development and achievement across grade bands,” said Superintendent Dr. Dan Sims.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Bibb County students showed improvement in several areas on the 2025-26 Georgia Milestones assessments, with some of the largest gains coming in math, according to results released by the Bibb County School District.

The district said students increased the percentage scoring proficient or above on seven of the 10 End-of-Grade exams administered to elementary and middle school students. High school students also showed increases in Algebra and U.S. History End-of-Course exams.

English Language Arts results were not included. The district said the Georgia Department of Education implemented new ELA standards during the 2025-26 school year, and those results are expected to be released in the fall.

“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 results mark the second consecutive year of significant improvement in math for the district. Grades 3-7 showed district-level improvements of 3 to 6 percentage points.

Nineteen of the district’s 21 elementary schools showed gains in math, with 10 schools improving by at least 5 percentage points.

Heard Elementary saw the percentage of students scoring proficient or above increase by nearly 11 percentage points. Hartley and Carter elementary schools each recorded increases of 10 percentage points.

Carter Elementary also exceeded state averages in fifth-grade math. More than 60% of Carter fifth-graders scored proficient or above, compared with 44% statewide. Additionally, 30.4% of Carter’s fifth-graders scored at the distinguished level, compared with 16.9% statewide.

In science, Porter Elementary saw the percentage of students scoring proficient or above increase by 24 percentage points. Ingram-Pye Elementary increased by 17 percentage points, and Vineville Academy of the Arts increased by 16 percentage points.

At the middle school level, Ballard-Hudson Middle School saw the percentage of students scoring proficient or above in Algebra increase by 30 percentage points. Miller Magnet Middle School recorded a 29-percentage-point increase in Algebra.

At the high school level, VIP Academy saw a 26-percentage-point increase in students scoring proficient or above in Algebra. Howard High School recorded a 10-percentage-point increase in Biology, while Westside High School recorded an 8-percentage-point increase in Algebra.

Districtwide results show Bibb remains below state averages in several areas. In 2026, 53% of Bibb students scored developing or higher in Algebra, compared with 74% statewide. In Biology, 51% of Bibb students scored developing or higher, compared with 72% statewide. In U.S. History, Bibb recorded 45%, compared with 69% statewide.

Georgia Milestones End-of-Grade assessments are administered to students in grades 3-8. End-of-Course assessments are administered in designated high school courses.