Effingham County high schools’ state end of course test results place the school system among the highest performing in the region and the state. "So all in all," said Assistant Superintendent Greg Arnsdorff, "considering our standings against the state, our ranking as a school district and our comparisons to our (Regional Educational Service Agency), I think you can be proud of the accomplishments of our high schools and the focus that they’ve given on the state end of course tests and I think you’ll continue to see us trying to edge those numbers upward." Among the 18 neighboring districts in the 1st District Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA), Effingham was in the top three in all of the eight tested content areas and first in ninth grade literature, American literature, U.S. history and physical science.