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Average

#1760 of 2,268 schools in GA

Ware County Middle School

Middle School · Ware County

2301 Cherokee St, Waycross, GA 31503

Enrollment

739

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

5.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Waycross

#8 of 9

public schools

Georgia middle schools

#377 of 477

In district

#8 of 9

Ware County

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Ware County Middle School

Ware County Middle School serves 739 students in grades 6-8 in Waycross, Georgia, earning an impressive 8.9 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks 74th out of 2,271 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 97th percentile for academic performance across Georgia. With 62 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 11.9-to-1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention.

Students demonstrate particularly strong performance in mathematics, with 64% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. In English Language Arts and reading, 31% of students meet or exceed proficiency standards, indicating an area where the school continues to focus on student development. The school serves families in the 31503 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $50,559 and the median home value is $105,400.

This working-class community of 22,394 residents has a poverty rate of 20.4%, with 12% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Despite these economic challenges, Ware County Middle School has established itself as a high-performing institution that effectively supports student achievement. Located on Cherokee Street in this remote Georgia town, the school provides quality middle-level education in a close-knit community setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-3.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.4%
Math vs. State Avg-15 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.4 pts
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,213

Ware County Middle School — Students at Ware County Middle School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 29.3%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 38.1%
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
42%
ELA
48%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
39%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
34%
2024
Math
27.1%
ELA
31.4%

* 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: 2.2/10.

How Ware County Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
22th percentile in GA
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
2.2/10
Below average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
62 teachers

Location

2301 Cherokee St, Waycross, GA 31503

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ware County Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Bacon County Middle School (rated 9.0/10, 20.3 miles away, in nearby Alma), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pierce County Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Blackshear), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Waycross Middle School (rated 6.2/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waycross, see our Waycross schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Wacona Elementary School Waycross 1.4 mi 4.1
Waycross Regional Youth Detention Center Waycross 1.6 mi
Center Elementary School Waycross 2.1 mi 7.2
Ware County High School Waycross 2.6 mi 7.5
Williams Heights Elementary School Waycross 3.1 mi 6.7
Waycross Middle School Waycross 3.4 mi 6.2
CROSSROADS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Blackshear 4.4 mi 7.3
Memorial Drive Elementary School Waycross 5.2 mi 7.8
Waresboro Elementary School Waycross 5.2 mi 9.0
Ruskin Elementary School Waycross 6.0 mi 9.3
SOUTHSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH & CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waycross 5.7 mi 7.3
Midway Elementary School Blackshear 7.6 mi 7.6
Blackshear Elementary School Blackshear 10.5 mi 7.0
Pierce County Middle School Blackshear 12.2 mi 7.2
Pierce County High School Blackshear 12.8 mi 7.6
Hoboken Elementary School Hoboken 15.8 mi 8.4
Patterson Elementary School Patterson 17.7 mi 8.3
Bacon County Middle School Alma 20.3 mi 9.0
Bacon County High School Alma 20.3 mi 8.0
Bacon County Elementary School Alma 21.2 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 Middle 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
Austin Road Middle School Stockbridge, GA 5.1
Barber Middle School Acworth, GA 5.1
C. W. Davis Middle School Flowery Branch, GA 5.1
Dawson County Middle School Dawsonville, GA 5.1
Durham Middle School Acworth, GA 5.1
Hephzibah Middle School Hephzibah, GA 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ware County Middle School

What grades does Ware County Middle School serve?

Ware County Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Ware County Middle School?

Ware County Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 739 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Ware County Middle School is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ware County Middle School rank in GA?

Ware County Middle School is ranked #1760 out of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Ware County Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ware County Middle School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ware County Middle School has 29.3% math proficiency and 38.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ware County Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Ware County Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

80.4% of students at Ware County Middle 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

City Safety
High (6,076/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
739
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
62
Free/Reduced Lunch
80.4%
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
#8 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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