Wilcox County

Wilcox County Schools, located in Rochelle, Georgia, serves approximately 1,126 students across three schools: Wilcox County Elementary School (PK-5), Wilcox County Middle School (6-8), and Wilcox County High School (9-12), in a predominantly rural area with a high percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

The clear standout is Wilcox County Middle School, which has surged from a 3-star to a 4-star rating, jumping 147 spots in state rankings. Its math program is exceptional—8th grade proficiency hits 72.5%, more than 26 points above the state average, with 6th and 7th grades also outperforming state averages by 7.7 and 15.6 points, respectively. The middle school also exceeds state averages in 8th grade science and social studies. In contrast, Wilcox County Elementary School and Wilcox County High School have seen steady ranking declines. The elementary school trails state averages in math and science, while the high school’s End of Course exams are below state averages in Algebra I, Biology, and U.S. History. However, the high school shines with a 98.7% graduation rate—11.5 points above the state average—despite its academic struggles.

Chronic absenteeism is a district-wide concern, with rates of 19.8% at the elementary, 34.9% at the middle, and a striking 48.6% at the high school, all well above the state’s 17.7%. This likely impacts high school performance. Per-student spending is solid at roughly $14,200-$15,100, and student-teacher ratios are favorable (13.3-14.4:1). The middle school’s success despite high poverty suggests effective strategies that could be replicated elsewhere, while the high school’s high graduation rate amid low test scores points to strong credit recovery or alternative pathways. Overall, families will find a middle school excelling in math, a high school with excellent graduation outcomes, and an elementary school that, while below state averages, remains within reach of improvement.