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%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 8 public elementary schools serving 4,287 students in Ware County School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public elementary schools in Georgia.
Public Elementary Schools in Ware County School District have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Georgia public elementary school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 39% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Georgia public elementary school average of 66% (majority Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (GA)
# Schools
9 Schools
1,897 Schools
# Students
5,920 Students
1,205,182 Students
# Teachers
442 Teachers
88,417 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Ware County School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 219 school districts in Georgia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 82% has decreased from 90% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (GA)
#95 out of 222 school districts
(Top 50%)
36%
39%
36%
40%
40%
40%
82%
84%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.65
0.72
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
5%
% Hispanic
9%
20%
% Black
38%
36%
% White
45%
34%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
5%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $14,997 is higher than the state median of $14,327. The school district revenue/student has grown by 10% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,511 is higher than the state median of $13,452. 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
Spending
$80 MM
$23,473 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,997
$14,327
Spending / Student
$13,511
$13,452

Best Ware County School District Public Elementary Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Williams Heights Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
705 Dewey St
Waycross, GA 31501
(912) 287-2399
Gr: K-5 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #22.
Ruskin Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3550 Valdosta Hwy
Waycross, GA 31503
(912) 287-2325
Gr: K-5 | 363 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #33.
Wacona Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3101 State St
Waycross, GA 31503
(912) 287-2362
Gr: PK-5 | 885 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #44.
Memorial Drive Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2580 Ambrose St
Waycross, GA 31503
(912) 287-2327
Gr: K-5 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #55.
Waresboro Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3379 W Church St
Waycross, GA 31503
(912) 287-2393
Gr: K-5 | 429 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #66.
Center Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2114 Dorothy St
Waycross, GA 31501
(912) 287-2366
Gr: K-5 | 470 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #77.
Waycross Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
700 Central Ave
Waycross, GA 31501
(912) 287-2333
Gr: 6-8 | 606 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #88.
Ware County Middle School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2301 Cherokee St
Waycross, GA 31503
(912) 287-2341
Gr: 6-8 | 752 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 47%

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 9 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 5,920 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 55%
  • : 82% (Btm 50% in GA)
  • : Top 50%
  • : 36% (Top 50%)
  • : 36% (Top 50%)
  • : 40% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), GA Dept. of Education

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