Best Schools in Waycross, Georgia
11 schools · 6 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.0/10
- Median household income
- $46,123
- Median home value
- $104,050
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 59%
60% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Waycross compares
Georgia rank
#52 of 240
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.7
above Georgia avg (6.3)
Median household income
$46k
66% of Georgia median
Schools in this city
10
About Schools in Waycross, Georgia
Waycross, Georgia has 9 ranked public schools — a compact landscape that makes side-by-side comparison straightforward. The city's average school score sits at 7.0 out of 10, and 56% of schools clear the 7.0 mark, meaning the majority of options here land in solid or better territory. That's a useful baseline: Waycross is not a tale of one standout surrounded by low performers — it's a market where several schools are genuinely competitive.
Elementary education is where Waycross concentrates its strongest options. Ruskin Elementary leads the city at 9.4 out of 10, the top score among all ranked schools here. Waresboro Elementary follows at 9.0, putting two elementary schools in the top tier. Memorial Drive Elementary (7.8) and Center Elementary (7.2) round out the upper half of the elementary tier. Parents with children in grades K–5 have real choices at multiple quality levels, including two schools that would rank as high performers in most peer cities.
The secondary picture is more limited. Ware County High School scores 7.4 out of 10 — above the city average and above the majority of its ranked peers — but it is the only high school in this dataset. That means families don't face a choice of high schools; they're evaluating a single institution. At 7.4, Ware County High is a credible option, but parents focused on high school should dig into specific program offerings, graduation rates, and AP or dual-enrollment access to get a complete picture beyond the composite score.
Practically speaking, Waycross rewards parents who focus their research at the elementary level, where the quality spread is widest and the top options are genuinely strong. If Ruskin or Waresboro Elementary fall within your attendance zone, those are among the highest-performing schools in this market. For families with high-schoolers, Ware County High is the path forward — the score is above average, but it's worth verifying which programs align with your student's goals before committing to a neighborhood.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 374 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.3 |
| 2 | 420 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.0 |
| 3 | 372 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.8 |
| 4 | 470 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.2 |
| 5 | 436 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.7 |
| 6 | 963 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.1 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 585 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 |
| 2 | 739 students · 6th–8th | 5.1 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,618 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 |
| 2 | 12 students · 5th–12th | — |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 118 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Waycross
Waycross, Georgia · 11 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$46,123
Median Home Value
$104,050
Median Rent
$788/mo
Population
36,207
College Educated
15%
Homeownership
59%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
24.1%
Community Profile
Waycross has a median household income of $46,123. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $104,050, with a median rent of $788/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- Georgia
- Total Schools
- 11
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Districts
- 2
- Avg Rating
- 7.0/10
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Georgia
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Waycross, Georgia
How many schools are in Waycross, Georgia?
Waycross has 11 schools, including 10 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Waycross, Georgia?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Waycross is 7.0 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Waycross, Georgia?
The top-ranked school in Waycross on MySchoolScout is Ruskin Elementary School with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Waycross, Georgia?
The top-ranked elementary school in Waycross on MySchoolScout is Ruskin Elementary School with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Waycross, Georgia?
The top-ranked middle school in Waycross on MySchoolScout is Waycross Middle School with a composite score of 6.2/10.
What is the best high school in Waycross, Georgia?
The top-ranked high school in Waycross on MySchoolScout is Ware County High School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
How many school districts serve Waycross, Georgia?
Waycross is served by 2 school districts: Department of Juvenile Justice, Ware County.
What is the education level in Waycross, Georgia?
According to Census data, 15% of adults in Waycross have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Waycross, Georgia?
The median household income in Waycross is approximately $46,123 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Waycross, Georgia?
Yes, Waycross has 1 private school alongside 10 public schools. The top-rated private school is Southside Baptist Church & Christian School with a score of 7.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Waycross, Georgia?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Waycross is 11.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Waycross, Georgia?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Georgia Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.