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Very Good

#581 of 2,268 schools in GA

Top 26% in state

West Jackson Middle School

Middle School · Jackson County

400 Gum Springs Church Rd, Jefferson, GA 30549

Enrollment

858

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

7.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Jefferson

#1 of 6

public schools

Georgia middle schools

#90 of 477

In district

#4 of 10

Jackson County

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About West Jackson Middle School

West Jackson Middle School serves 858 students in grades 6-8 in Jefferson, Georgia, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranking 300th out of 2,271 Georgia schools, the school places in the 87th percentile statewide for academic achievement. The school demonstrates particularly strong performance in mathematics, with 78% of students scoring proficient or above across all grade levels.

English Language Arts results show 52% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. With 55 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, West Jackson maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 15.6 to 1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $90,876 and home values average $294,400.

About one-third of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 8.5%. This economic stability contributes to a supportive learning environment for students. Located on Gum Springs Church Road, West Jackson Middle School sits in a rural area near the town of Jefferson, providing students with a close-knit educational community while maintaining access to broader Jackson County resources and opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, West Jackson Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.13 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics7.6Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.4%
Math vs. State Avg+17.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.6 pts
Overall Proficiency56%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected-3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,475

West Jackson Middle School — Students at West Jackson Middle School score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 48.6%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 47.1%
School
State
41.8%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
50%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
39%
ELA
43%
2022
Math
46%
ELA
43%
2024
Math
59.4%
ELA
52.4%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How West Jackson Middle School Compares

See how West Jackson Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
74th percentile in GA
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers

Location

400 Gum Springs Church Rd, Jefferson, GA 30549

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Jackson Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Jefferson Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 5.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Westside Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Winder), a more accessible option. Additionally, Russell Middle School (rated 4.7/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Winder), a more accessible option. For more schools in Jefferson, see our Jefferson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Gum Springs Elementary School Jefferson 0.2 mi 7.0
Jackson County High School Hoschton 1.3 mi 5.9
JACKSON TRAIL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Jefferson 2.6 mi 6.3
West Jackson Elementary School Hoschton 4.1 mi 7.6
Holsenbeck Elementary School Winder 5.6 mi 5.7
North Jackson Elementary School Talmo 5.8 mi 5.9
County Line Elementary School Winder 5.5 mi 4.9
Winder-Barrow High School Winder 6.6 mi 4.9
Russell Middle School Winder 6.7 mi 4.7
Jefferson Middle School Jefferson 5.9 mi 7.0
Winder Elementary School Winder 6.9 mi 5.4
Jefferson Academy Jefferson 6.1 mi 7.2
Jefferson Elementary School Jefferson 6.2 mi 5.4
Jefferson High School Jefferson 6.4 mi 4.7
Bramlett Elementary School Auburn 7.9 mi 4.0
Kennedy Elementary School Winder 9.1 mi 5.4
Westside Middle School Winder 9.1 mi 5.8
Sugar Hill Elementary Gainesville 9.9 mi 7.8
BETHLEHEM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bethlehem 10.2 mi 5.8
Myers Elementary School Gainesville 9.6 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 30549 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$88,951

Median Home Value

$325,500

Median Rent

$964/mo

Population

30,643

College Educated

32%

Homeownership

83.4%

Avg Commute

34.5 min

Poverty Rate

9.9%

Median Age

38.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Jackson Middle School has a median household income of $88,951. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $325,500, with a median rent of $964/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School Athens, GA 7.5
Effingham County Middle School Guyton, GA 7.5
Martha Puckett Middle School Jesup, GA 7.5
Ben Hill County Middle School Fitzgerald, GA 7.6
Clear Creek Middle School Ellijay, GA 7.6
Coleman Middle School Duluth, GA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Jackson Middle School

What grades does West Jackson Middle School serve?

West Jackson Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend West Jackson Middle School?

West Jackson Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 858 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Jackson Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at West Jackson Middle School is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Jackson Middle School rank in GA?

West Jackson Middle School is ranked #581 out of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is West Jackson Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Jackson Middle 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 West Jackson Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Jackson Middle School has 48.6% math proficiency and 47.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Jackson Middle School a charter school?

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

Is West Jackson Middle School a Title I school?

No, West Jackson Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Jackson Middle School?

34.7% of students at West Jackson 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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (499/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
858
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
55
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Jackson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Jackson County
District Enrollment
10,524
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,848
District Rank
#4 of 10

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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