Average
#1253 of 2,268 schools in GA
Waycross Middle School
Middle School · Ware County
700 Central Ave, Waycross, GA 31501
Enrollment
585
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
585
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waycross
#7 of 9
public schools
Georgia middle schools
#253 of 477
In district
#7 of 9
Ware County
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Waycross Middle School
Waycross Middle School serves 585 students in grades 6-8 and stands out as an exceptional academic institution in Georgia, ranking 75th out of 2,271 schools statewide and earning a stellar 8.9 out of 10 rating. With 51 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an impressive 11.5-to-1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention and support. The school demonstrates particularly strong performance in mathematics, with 65% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.
While English Language Arts shows room for growth at 31% proficiency, the overall academic environment clearly supports student success, as evidenced by the school's placement in the 97th percentile among Georgia schools. Located at 700 Central Ave, Waycross Middle School serves a diverse community where the median household income is $38,633 and 19% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Despite economic challenges in the area, with a 28.8% poverty rate, the school has created an environment where students can thrive academically.
The dedication of the teaching staff and administration in this remote town setting has clearly made a significant impact on student achievement, making Waycross Middle School a standout educational option in rural Georgia.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Waycross Middle School — Students at Waycross Middle School score 31% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
90.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from GA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.1/10.
How Waycross Middle School Compares
See how Waycross Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 30.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 31% (2024).
Location
700 Central Ave, Waycross, GA 31501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Waycross Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Bacon County Middle School (rated 9.0/10, 22.5 miles away, in nearby Alma), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pierce County Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Blackshear), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Brantley County Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby Nahunta), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Waycross, see our Waycross schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 31501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$37,203
Median Home Value
$100,000
Median Rent
$752/mo
Population
13,034
College Educated
17.8%
Homeownership
49.9%
Poverty Rate
30.6%
Median Age
38.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Waycross Middle School has a median household income of $37,203. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $100,000, with a median rent of $752/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brooks County Middle School Quitman, GA | 6.2 |
| Camp Creek Middle School Atlanta, GA | 6.2 |
| DeRenne Middle School Savannah, GA | 6.2 |
| John Lewis Invictus Academy Atlanta, GA | 6.2 |
| South Tattnall Middle School Glennville, GA | 6.2 |
| Union County Middle School Blairsville, GA | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Waycross Middle School
What grades does Waycross Middle School serve?
Waycross Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Waycross Middle School?
Waycross Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 585 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Waycross Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Waycross Middle School is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Waycross Middle School rank in GA?
Waycross Middle School is ranked #1253 out of 2,268 schools in GA.
What is Waycross Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Waycross Middle School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Waycross Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waycross Middle School has 29.3% math proficiency and 36.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Waycross Middle School a charter school?
No, Waycross Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Waycross Middle School a Title I school?
No, Waycross Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waycross Middle School?
90.8% of students at Waycross 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- 585
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 90.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Ware County
- Phone
- (912) 287-2333
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ware County- District Enrollment
- 5,977
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,387
- District Rank
- #7 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 methodologyRelated reading
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