Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.8 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency31%
Math vs. State Avg-11.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.8 pts
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+5.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,213

Waycross Middle School — Students at Waycross Middle School score 31% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

90.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 29.3%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 36.8%
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
36%
ELA
44%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
29%
ELA
35%
2024
Math
30.3%
ELA
31%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.2/10
45th percentile in GA
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
4.1/10
Below average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
91%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Williams Heights Elementary School Waycross 0.3 mi 6.7
Center Elementary School Waycross 1.9 mi 7.2
Memorial Drive Elementary School Waycross 2.0 mi 7.8
SOUTHSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH & CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waycross 2.3 mi 7.3
CROSSROADS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Blackshear 2.7 mi 7.3
Ware County High School Waycross 3.0 mi 7.5
Wacona Elementary School Waycross 3.3 mi 4.1
Ware County Middle School Waycross 3.4 mi 5.1
Waycross Regional Youth Detention Center Waycross 4.8 mi
Midway Elementary School Blackshear 5.2 mi 7.6
Ruskin Elementary School Waycross 7.0 mi 9.3
Blackshear Elementary School Blackshear 9.2 mi 7.0
Waresboro Elementary School Waycross 8.5 mi 9.0
Pierce County Middle School Blackshear 10.8 mi 7.2
Pierce County High School Blackshear 11.6 mi 7.6
Hoboken Elementary School Hoboken 12.5 mi 8.4
Patterson Elementary School Patterson 16.4 mi 8.3
Brantley County High School Nahunta 18.4 mi 5.4
Brantley County Middle School Nahunta 18.7 mi 6.9
Bacon County Middle School Alma 22.5 mi 9.0

Neighborhood 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.

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
585
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
51
Free/Reduced Lunch
90.8%
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
#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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.