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Average

#1345 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

5.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Georgia schools

#1,345 of 2,268

In Waycross

#9 of 9

public schools

In district

#9 of 9

Ware County

School environment

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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Ware County Middle School

5.9/10

Middle School in Waycross · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Wacona Elementary School

6.4/10

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

Waycross Regional Youth Detention Center

Nearby

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

About Ware County Middle School

Ware County Middle School is a public middle school in Waycross, GA, part of Ware County. Ware County Middle School serves approximately 739 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Ware County Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,345 of 2,268 schools in GA.

Structured state assessment records for Ware County Middle School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • GA avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

30% of students at Ware County Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.78 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.1% (2024 GA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.4% (2024 GA)
Math vs. State Avg-15 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.4 pts
Overall Proficiency29% (2024 GA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2024 GA)
vs. Expected-2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,387
Chronic Absenteeism30.3%

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 51.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.1% (2024 GA)
ELA Proficiency 58.9% (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
66%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
84%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
91%
ELA
96%
2012
Math
91%
ELA
98%
2013
Math
91%
ELA
98%
2014
Math
41%
ELA
43%
2015
Math
48%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
44%
ELA
41%
2017
Math
39%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
48%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
48%
2020*
Math
21%
ELA
39%
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: 4.7/10.

How Ware County Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
41th percentile in GA
Academic
5.5/10
Average
Growth
4.7/10
Below Average
Environment
8.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
62 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.3%

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

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. Pierce County Middle School (rated 8.1/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Blackshear), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bacon County Middle School (rated 7.8/10, 20.3 miles away, in nearby Alma), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Waycross Middle School (rated 6.0/10, 3.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 6.4
Waycross Regional Youth Detention Center Waycross 1.6 mi
Center Elementary School Waycross 2.1 mi 6.0
Ware County High School Waycross 2.6 mi 7.9
Williams Heights Elementary School Waycross 3.1 mi 7.1
Waycross Middle School Waycross 3.4 mi 6.0
CROSSROADS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Blackshear 4.4 mi 7.3
Memorial Drive Elementary School Waycross 5.2 mi 6.8
Waresboro Elementary School Waycross 5.2 mi 7.4
Ruskin Elementary School Waycross 6.0 mi 7.0
SOUTHSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH & CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waycross 5.7 mi 7.3
Midway Elementary School Blackshear 7.6 mi 8.7
Blackshear Elementary School Blackshear 10.5 mi 8.0
Pierce County Middle School Blackshear 12.2 mi 8.1
Pierce County High School Blackshear 12.8 mi 8.3
Hoboken Elementary School Hoboken 15.8 mi 8.6
Patterson Elementary School Patterson 17.7 mi 8.8
Bacon County Middle School Alma 20.3 mi 7.8
Bacon County High School Alma 20.3 mi 8.1
Bacon County Elementary School Alma 21.2 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
Betty Gray Middle School Mableton, GA 5.9
Calhoun Middle School Calhoun, GA 5.9
Camp Creek Middle School Atlanta, GA 5.9
Irma C. Austin Middle School Douglasville, GA 5.9
Lakeview Middle School Rossville, GA 5.9
Metter Middle School Metter, GA 5.9

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 ranks #1,345 of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Ware County Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ware County Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Ware County Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ware County Middle School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.3%

District

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

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