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Very Good

#588 of 2,268 schools in GA

Top 26% in state

Ware County High School

High School · Ware County

700 Victory Dr, Waycross, GA 31503

Enrollment

1,618

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

7.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Waycross

#4 of 9

public schools

Georgia high schools

#53 of 443

In district

#4 of 9

Ware County

Equity

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Ware County High School

Ware County High School serves 1,618 students in grades 9-12 in Waycross, Georgia, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1 with 116 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #822 out of 2,271 Georgia high schools, placing it in the 64th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10. Academically, the school shows mixed performance across subject areas.

While 60% of students demonstrate proficiency in mathematics, reading and language arts present opportunities for growth with 33% of students meeting proficiency standards. These results reflect the school's ongoing focus on student development and academic improvement. The school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $50,559 and median home values average $105,400.

With a poverty rate of 20.4% in the surrounding area, Ware County High School plays an important role in providing educational opportunities for students from various economic backgrounds. The local community shows 12% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Located on Victory Drive in this remote town setting, Ware County High School anchors the educational landscape of Waycross, serving as the primary high school option for families in this close-knit Georgia community of over 22,000 residents.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.6Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.3%
Math vs. State Avg+18.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.5 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected+17.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
College Readiness8.4Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation0.9%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,213

Ware County High School — Students at Ware County High School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 50.6%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 41.6%
School
State
41.8%

Based on 8 test records from GA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
54%
ELA
55%
2021*
Math
33%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
55%
ELA
48%
2024
Math
60.2%
ELA
33.3%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How Ware County High School Compares

See how Ware County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
74th percentile in GA
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
5.5/10
Above average
Environment
7.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
116 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
0.9% participation·2 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

700 Victory Dr, Waycross, GA 31503

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ware County High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Bacon County High School (rated 8.0/10, 22.8 miles away, in nearby Alma), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Pierce County High School (rated 7.6/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Blackshear), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Waycross, see our Waycross schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Ware County Middle School Waycross 2.6 mi 5.1
Williams Heights Elementary School Waycross 2.7 mi 6.7
Waycross Middle School Waycross 3.0 mi 6.2
Center Elementary School Waycross 3.4 mi 7.2
Wacona Elementary School Waycross 3.7 mi 4.1
Waycross Regional Youth Detention Center Waycross 4.0 mi
Ruskin Elementary School Waycross 4.0 mi 9.3
Memorial Drive Elementary School Waycross 4.1 mi 7.8
SOUTHSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH & CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waycross 4.9 mi 7.3
CROSSROADS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Blackshear 5.3 mi 7.3
Waresboro Elementary School Waycross 6.5 mi 9.0
Midway Elementary School Blackshear 8.2 mi 7.6
Blackshear Elementary School Blackshear 11.9 mi 7.0
Pierce County Middle School Blackshear 13.6 mi 7.2
Pierce County High School Blackshear 14.3 mi 7.6
Hoboken Elementary School Hoboken 15.3 mi 8.4
Patterson Elementary School Patterson 19.2 mi 8.3
Bacon County Middle School Alma 22.8 mi 9.0
Bacon County High School Alma 22.8 mi 8.0
Bacon County Elementary School Alma 23.8 mi 9.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ware County High School has a median household income of $55,042. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $108,100, with a median rent of $823/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.7%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Buford High School Buford, GA 7.5
Innovation Academy Alpharetta, GA 7.5
Lassiter High School Marietta, GA 7.5
Paul Duke STEM High School Norcross, GA 7.5
Ringgold High School Ringgold, GA 7.5
River Ridge High School Woodstock, GA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ware County High School

What grades does Ware County High School serve?

Ware County High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Ware County High School?

Ware County High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,618 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ware County High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ware County High School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ware County High School rank in GA?

Ware County High School is ranked #588 out of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Ware County High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ware County High School has a composite rating of 7.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ware County High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ware County High School has 50.6% math proficiency and 41.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ware County High School a charter school?

No, Ware County High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ware County High School a Title I school?

No, Ware County High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ware County High School?

84.1% of students at Ware County High 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
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (6,076/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waycross). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,618
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
116
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Ware County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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