Summary
Wayne County High School in Jesup, GA, serves approximately 1,576 students in grades 9–12 and holds a 3-star rating, ranking 190th out of 455 Georgia high schools for the 2025–2026 school year. The school has shown notable strengths in Biology and U.S. History, where students consistently outperform state averages, and it boasts a graduation rate of 89.6%—above the state’s 87.2%—with a dropout rate of just 0.8%, far lower than the statewide 2.4%. However, the school faces significant challenges in Algebra I, where only 22.1% of students scored proficient versus 48.1% statewide, a gap that has widened considerably in the past year. Chronic absenteeism is also elevated at 26.3%, compared to the state average of 17.7%, though this is a marked improvement from a peak of 42.7% a few years ago.
When compared to nearby Long County High School, about 12 miles away, the differences are striking. Long County ranks higher overall (110th vs. 190th) and posts a 51.6% proficiency rate in Algebra I—more than double Wayne County’s rate. Long County also edges out Wayne County in Biology (51.3% vs. 47.8%) and U.S. History (52.5% vs. 46.7%), and has a higher graduation rate (95.5% vs. 89.6%). Interestingly, Wayne County spends more per student ($11,588 vs. $9,173) and has a better student-teacher ratio (16.3:1 vs. 19.3:1), yet still trails in most academic measures, suggesting that additional resources have not yet translated into stronger outcomes.
Wayne County High School serves a student body with significant economic need—82.1% of students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–2025, up sharply from 57% the prior year. Subgroup data shows that Hispanic students perform relatively well (62nd percentile), while multi-racial students rank lowest (15th percentile), and special education students sit at the 41st percentile. The school’s performance has fluctuated over the past decade, with strong showings in 2020–2021 and 2023–2024, but recent declines suggest a need for targeted support, particularly in math and attendance. For parents, this is a school where engaged students find success in content-heavy subjects and graduate at high rates, but where foundational math skills and consistent attendance remain key areas for improvement.
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