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Average

#1132 of 2,268 schools in GA

Top 50% in state

Wacona Elementary School

Elementary School · Ware County

3101 State St, Waycross, GA 31503

Enrollment

963

Student-Teacher

19.3:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Georgia schools

#1,132 of 2,268

In Waycross

#6 of 9

public schools

In district

#6 of 9

Ware County

Equity

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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Wacona Elementary School

6.4/10

Elementary School in Waycross · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ware County Middle School

5.9/10

1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Center Elementary School

6.0/10

1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Wacona Elementary School

Wacona Elementary School is a public elementary school in Waycross, GA, part of Ware County. Wacona Elementary School serves approximately 963 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Wacona Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,132 of 2,268 schools in GA.

Structured state assessment records for Wacona Elementary School show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • GA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.18 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41.4% (2024 GA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.7% (2024 GA)
Math vs. State Avg-0.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.9 pts
Overall Proficiency42% (2024 GA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)28% (model expectation from 2024 GA)
vs. Expected+13.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,387
Chronic Absenteeism14.8%

Wacona Elementary School — Students at Wacona Elementary School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 58.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.1% (2024 GA)
ELA Proficiency 59.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
41.8% (2024 GA)

Based on 30 test records from GA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
84%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
93%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
95%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
93%
ELA
97%
2014
Math
44%
ELA
39%
2015
Math
41%
ELA
41%
2016
Math
43%
ELA
38%
2017
Math
50%
ELA
44%
2018
Math
58%
ELA
55%
2019
Math
58%
ELA
55%
2020*
Math
29%
ELA
33%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
33%
2022
Math
36%
ELA
39%
2024
Math
41.4%
ELA
42.7%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.4/10.

How Wacona Elementary School Compares

See how Wacona Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
50th percentile in GA
Academic
8.2/10
Excellent
Growth
6.4/10
Average
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
87%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

3101 State St, Waycross, GA 31503

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wacona Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Patterson Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Patterson), which scores notably higher. Another option is Midway Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Blackshear), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hoboken Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Hoboken), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waycross, see our Waycross schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Ware County Middle School Waycross 1.4 mi 5.9
Center Elementary School Waycross 1.5 mi 6.0
Waycross Regional Youth Detention Center Waycross 1.7 mi
Williams Heights Elementary School Waycross 3.2 mi 7.1
Waycross Middle School Waycross 3.3 mi 6.0
Ware County High School Waycross 3.7 mi 7.9
CROSSROADS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Blackshear 3.4 mi 7.3
Memorial Drive Elementary School Waycross 5.3 mi 6.8
SOUTHSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH & CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waycross 5.5 mi 7.3
Waresboro Elementary School Waycross 6.0 mi 7.4
Ruskin Elementary School Waycross 7.3 mi 7.0
Midway Elementary School Blackshear 6.7 mi 8.7
Blackshear Elementary School Blackshear 9.2 mi 8.0
Pierce County Middle School Blackshear 10.9 mi 8.1
Pierce County High School Blackshear 11.5 mi 8.3
Hoboken Elementary School Hoboken 15.2 mi 8.6
Patterson Elementary School Patterson 16.4 mi 8.8
Bacon County Middle School Alma 19.4 mi 7.8
Bacon County High School Alma 19.4 mi 8.1
Bacon County Elementary School Alma 20.3 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 31503 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,042

Median Home Value

$108,100

Median Rent

$823/mo

Population

23,173

College Educated

12.3%

Homeownership

67.7%

Avg Commute

20.9 min

Poverty Rate

17.7%

Median Age

37.2

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bacon County Primary School Alma, GA 6.4
Bethlehem Elementary School Bethlehem, GA 6.4
Chestatee Elementary Gainesville, GA 6.4
Hal Hutchens Elementary Douglasville, GA 6.4
Heard Elementary School Savannah, GA 6.4
Kanoheda Elementary School Lawrenceville, GA 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wacona Elementary School

What grades does Wacona Elementary School serve?

Wacona Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Wacona Elementary School?

Wacona Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 963 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wacona Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Wacona Elementary School is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wacona Elementary School rank in GA?

Wacona Elementary School ranks #1,132 of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Wacona Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Wacona Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Wacona Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Wacona Elementary School has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Wacona Elementary School a charter school?

No, Wacona Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Wacona Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Wacona Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wacona Elementary School?

86.6% of students at Wacona Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
963
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
50
Free/Reduced Lunch
86.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Ware County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.8%

District

Ware County
District Enrollment
5,977
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,387
District Rank
#6 of 9

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