Summary:
Zip code 31503 in Waycross, Georgia, is home to one public middle school, Ware County Middle School, which serves grades 6 through 8 and enrolls 752 students in the Ware County school district.
Ware County Middle School stands out for its exceptional Algebra I performance, achieving a 100% proficiency rate on the End of Course assessment for two consecutive years—far exceeding the district’s 62.9% and the state’s 48.1%. The school also outperforms the state in 8th grade Science, with 37.7% proficiency compared to 29.7% statewide. Its state ranking has improved steadily over three years, rising from the 45th to the 51st percentile and earning a 3-star rating. However, general mathematics proficiency lags behind state averages in all three grades, with gaps ranging from 7 to 14 points. The most concerning trend is an 11.5-point drop in 8th grade Social Studies proficiency, falling from 45.7% (above state) to 34.2% (below state). Chronic absenteeism sits at 19.5%, slightly above the state rate of 17.7%, while the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.6:1 and spends $14,743 per student.
With 80.45% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, this high-poverty school demonstrates notable strengths in advanced math and science while facing challenges in core math proficiency and attendance. The school outperforms its district in 7th grade Math, 8th grade Science, and Algebra I, suggesting it is a relative strength within Ware County. Parents should note the school’s positive trajectory and exceptional acceleration program, but also the need for attention in Social Studies and chronic absenteeism. The consistent 100% Algebra I results indicate a deliberate and effective program for advanced learners, which could serve as a model for other subjects.
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