Blakeney Elementary

Blakeney Elementary in Waynesboro, GA, is the largest elementary school in the Burke County district, serving 726 students in grades 3-5, with all students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

Blakeney has a 1-star rating and ranks in the 19th percentile statewide, which is a slight improvement from last year but keeps it in the bottom quarter of Georgia elementary schools. The school spends a substantial $20,448 per student—about 40% more than several nearby schools that achieve better results—and maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1. One bright spot is chronic absenteeism: at 16.9%, it's better than the district average (20.0%) and much lower than nearby Blythe Elementary (32.5%) or Jenkins County Elementary (28.3%). Another standout is Hispanic student performance, which ranks in the 59th percentile statewide—the only subgroup at the school to earn above-average marks. Science scores are also a relative strength, with 5th grade proficiency jumping from 22.6% to 30.1% in one year, outperforming several nearby schools.

The most striking comparison is with S G A Elementary, also in Burke County, which serves a similarly high-poverty population but ranks in the 57th percentile—far above Blakeney's 19th. For example, 4th grade math proficiency at SGA is 51.7% versus 24.9% at Blakeney. This gap within the same district suggests school-level factors like leadership and instructional practices may be driving outcomes. Blakeney also feeds directly from Waynesboro Primary School, which has a slightly higher absenteeism rate, indicating attendance patterns may be set early. While the school has remained in a holding pattern for a decade, the recent gains in 5th grade math and science, combined with strong attendance and targeted resources, offer a foundation for future improvement.