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First African Baptist Church and ParsonageFirst African Baptist Church and Parsonage · Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 3.0
C+
Schools in Waycross · Ware County School District

Waycross’s public schools score below 59% of Georgia districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Waycross, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Georgia, not nationally.

#159of 260 Georgia townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Georgia state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
36%
▼ 4 pts vs GA 40%
2021–22
Math proficiency
33%
▼ 4 pts vs GA 37%
2021–22
Graduate on time
82%
▼ 2 pts vs GA 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$16.4K
▲ 4% vs GA $15.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.5
GA 14.3 · smaller classes
Schools in town
7
3,491 students on the public path
In brief

Waycross’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 180 Georgia towns with household incomes within a quarter of Waycross’s, its schools beat 49%, higher than their 41% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 36% of tested students were proficient in reading and 33% in math, against 40% and 37% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

82% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Georgia. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $16,364 per student, against $15,800 across Georgia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Waycross Middle School, then Ware County High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Crossroads Christian Academy (private) and Waycross Discovery Montessori School (private) are in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Waycross’s grade

B− Test scoresD Graduation

C+: better than 41% of Georgia school districts, #159 of 260 Georgia towns. Both inputs trail the Georgia average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Georgia school districts we grade (220)Better than 41%
Lower resultsHigher results
Georgia towns with similar household incomes (180)Better than 49%
CB−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 3,084 test results and a graduating class of 365 could put Waycross anywhere from C to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Waycross’s students in the tested grades sat them (3,075 in math, 3,094 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Waycross, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressB− to B+
6–8Waycross Middle SchoolWare County School DistrictB−
9–12Ware County High SchoolWare County School DistrictB−

Waycross’s public schools are run by Ware County School District. Parts of Waycross (5% of its land) are served by Pierce County instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Ware County School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 9 schools · 5,920 students, down 3% since 2020–21 · 13.5 per teacher (GA 14.3)
$16,364GA $15,800 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading36%
State average 39.6% · 3094 students tested
Math33%
State average 37.4% · 3075 students tested

Waycross vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Georgia towns that share Waycross’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
WaycrossC+Ware County

Every school in Waycross

7 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Georgia’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Waycrossby address
Center Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5
B−
470 students13:1Rate it →
Williams Heights Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5
B−
436 students13:1Rate it →
Memorial Drive Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5
B+
346 students11:1Rate it →
Waycross Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
B−
606 students13:1Rate it →
Ware County High School
High · Grades 9–12
B−
1,633 students14:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Crossroads Christian Academy
Grades PK–12 · Blackshear
Private · Religious
153 students10:1Rate it →
Waycross Discovery Montessori School
Elementary · Grades PK–4
Private · Nonsectarian
36 students12:1Rate it →

Questions about Waycross’s schools

Are Waycross’s schools good?

On Georgia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Waycross children attend score below 59% of Georgia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #159 of 260 Georgia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 49%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Waycross in?

Ware County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,920 students in 9 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Waycross are served by Pierce County.

Where do Waycross kids go to high school?

Ware County High School, with 1,633 students; its own test results earn a B−.

What is Waycross’s graduation rate?

82% of the class of 2023 in Ware County School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Georgia.

How much does Waycross spend per student?

$16,364 in Ware County School District (FY2024), against $15,800 across Georgia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Waycross?

Yes: Crossroads Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 153 students) and Waycross Discovery Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–4, 36 students).

Parents talk

What Waycross families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Waycross → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Georgia. Stars are from neighbors.