Ware County School District

1301 Bailey Street
Waycross, GA 31501
(District boundaries shown in map)
6/
10
Top 50%

Top Rankings

Ware County School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Georgia for:

Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Student Attention
Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 8 public elementary schools serving 4,359 students in Ware County School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Georgia.
Public Elementary Schools in Ware County School District have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the Georgia public elementary school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 39% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Georgia public elementary school average of 65% (majority Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (GA)
# Schools
9 Schools
1,900 Schools
# Students
5,977 Students
1,207,854 Students
# Teachers
457 Teachers
88,065 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1

District Rank

Ware County School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 222 school districts in Georgia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 86% has decreased from 88% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (GA)
#101 out of 222 school districts
(Top 50%)
This chart displays the overall district rank of Ware County  School District, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
33%
37%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Ware County  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Georgia by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
36%
40%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Ware County  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Georgia by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
40%
40%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Ware County  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Georgia by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
86%
84%
This chart displays public school graduation rate of Ware County  School District and public school graduation rate of Georgia by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.64
0.72
# American Indian Students
10 Students
2,852 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
53 Students
59,894 Students
% Asian Students
1%
5%
# Hispanic Students
492 Students
223,736 Students
% Hispanic Students
8%
19%
# Black Students
2,253 Students
437,141 Students
% Black Students
38%
36%
# White Students
2,746 Students
420,125 Students
% White Students
46%
35%
# Hawaiian Students
1 Student
1,175 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
422 Students
62,424 Students
% of Two or more races Students
7%
5%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
330
48,709
# Students in K Grade:
443
117,257
# Students in 1st Grade:
457
124,992
# Students in 2nd Grade:
455
128,523
# Students in 3rd Grade:
438
125,808
# Students in 4th Grade:
432
127,364
# Students in 5th Grade:
480
128,693
# Students in 6th Grade:
426
129,323
# Students in 7th Grade:
454
127,930
# Students in 8th Grade:
444
127,602
# Students in 9th Grade:
457
6,366
# Students in 10th Grade:
418
5,738
# Students in 11th Grade:
398
5,192
# Students in 12th Grade:
345
4,357
# Ungraded Students:
-
-

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $14,854 is higher than the state median of $14,305. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,382 is less than the state median of $13,431. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (GA)
Total Revenue
$89 MM
$24,999 MM
This chart displays total revenue of Ware County  School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in Georgia by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$80 MM
$23,473 MM
This chart displays total spending of Ware County  School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in Georgia by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$14,854
$14,305
This chart displays average revenue per public school student in Ware County  School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in Georgia by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$13,382
$13,431
This chart displays average spending per public school student in Ware County  School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in Georgia by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best Ware County School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Williams Heights Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
705 Dewey St
Waycross, GA 31501
(912) 287-2399
Grades: K-5
| 436 students
Rank: #22.
Wacona Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3101 State St
Waycross, GA 31503
(912) 287-2362
Grades: PK-5
| 963 students
Rank: #33.
Ruskin Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3550 Valdosta Hwy
Waycross, GA 31503
(912) 287-2325
Grades: K-5
| 374 students
Rank: #44.
Waycross Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
700 Central Ave
Waycross, GA 31501
(912) 287-2333
Grades: 6-8
| 585 students
Rank: #55.
Waresboro Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3379 W Church St
Waycross, GA 31503
(912) 287-2393
Grades: K-5
| 420 students
Rank: #66.
Ware County Middle School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2301 Cherokee St
Waycross, GA 31503
(912) 287-2341
Grades: 6-8
| 739 students
Rank: #77.
Memorial Drive Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2580 Ambrose St
Waycross, GA 31503
(912) 287-2327
Grades: K-5
| 372 students
Rank: #88.
Center Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2114 Dorothy St
Waycross, GA 31501
(912) 287-2366
Grades: K-5
| 470 students

Recent Articles

Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
A six-year old in Aurora, Colorado, was suspended after singing an LMFAO song to a little girl in his class and reportedly “shaking his booty.” We look at the case and the sexual harassment problem in public schools today.
How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
This article explores the concept of instructional scaffolding, a teaching method that enhances learning by breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts. It highlights how scaffolding supports students in developing critical thinking skills and becoming more independent learners. The article discusses the benefits of scaffolding, including improved engagement and reduced anxiety, and provides strategies for its implementation across various educational levels.
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
We explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 9 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 5,977 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 54%
  • : 86% (Btm 50% in GA)
  • : Top 50%
  • : 33% (Top 50%)
  • : 36% (Top 50%)
  • : 40% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), GA Dept. of Education

Quick Links