Waddell Elementary School

Summary:

Waddell Elementary School is a public elementary school in Columbus, Georgia, serving 473 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Muscogee County School District, which is ranked 155 out of 203 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Waddell Elementary consistently underperforms compared to the Muscogee County and Georgia state averages on the Milestones Assessment, with only 33.3% of 3rd graders, 10.8% of 4th graders, and 34.3% of 5th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the district averages of 29.1%, 26.4%, and 37.3%, respectively. The school has a low statewide ranking, placing between 724 and 1,059 out of 1,248 Georgia elementary schools over the past 10 years, and has maintained a 1- or 2-star rating from SchoolDigger. Additionally, Waddell has an extremely high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 96.49% to 96.64% over the past three school years, suggesting a high concentration of economically disadvantaged students.

When compared to nearby schools, Waddell Elementary is one of the lowest-performing in the area. For example, Mathews Elementary School, located just 3.54 miles away, consistently outperforms Waddell in academic assessments and has a much higher statewide ranking. Furthermore, Britt David Elementary Computer Magnet Academy, located 4.11 miles from Waddell, is a high-performing school that ranks among the top 2 elementary schools in Georgia, highlighting the potential impact of specialized programs and resources on student achievement. Despite the relatively high per-student spending at Waddell Elementary, the school's academic performance remains poor, raising questions about the effectiveness of the school's resource allocation and the need for a more targeted approach to address the specific challenges faced by the school and its student population.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

6101 Miller Rd
Columbus, GA 31907

(706) 569-3722

District: Muscogee County

SchoolDigger Rank:
1059^th of 1,248 Georgia Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,996

Student/teacher ratio: 16.9

Number of students: 482

Racial breakdown:

African American:

75.7%

White:

8.7%

Hispanic:

8.3%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 100%

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Compare Waddell Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Waddell Elementary School ranks worse than 84.9% of elementary schools in Georgia. It also ranks 19^th among 32 ranked elementary schools in the Muscogee County School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 17.11. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (75.7%), White (8.7%), Hispanic (8.3%). (See more...)

Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Waddell Elementary School is 16.9. 29 elementary schools in the Muscogee County School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Waddell Elementary School employs 28.4 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Waddell Elementary School is $9,996. 17 elementary schools in the Muscogee County School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Waddell Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Muscogee County:

SchoolDigger ranks Muscogee County 155^th of 203 Georgia school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Rating:

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Rank History for Waddell Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	GA State Percentile
2006	85.48	85^th	1101	92.3%
2007	76.82	228^th	1125	79.7%
2008	75.90	229^th	1134	79.8%
2009	62.40	457^th	1133	59.7%
2010	66.08	443^rd	1183	62.6%
2011	45.77	777^th	1212	35.9%
2012	46.12	779^th	1201	35.1%
2013	44.58	811^th	1225	33.8%
2014	50.84	734^th	1231	40.4%
2015	23.02	971^st	1240	21.7%
2016	29.54	867^th	1233	29.7%
2017	35.21	784^th	1205	34.9%
2018	30.95	842^nd	1209	30.4%
2019	39.80	724^th	1234	41.3%
2021	23.05	907^th	1214	25.3%
2022	34.35	787^th	1244	36.7%
2023	23.97	935^th	1242	24.7%
2024	17.11	1059^th	1248	15.1%

See the entire list of Georgia Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Georgia Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4)

100%

Reviews:

by a principal
Monday, November 25, 2019

Waddell's faculty and staff are building and supporting practices which consistently promote student growth and improve school climate. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Waddell Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1989	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	680	680
1991	0	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	698	698
1992	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	776	776
1993	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	807	807
1994	516	225	10	20	3	n/a	n/a	0	774
1995	462	270	16	24	3	n/a	n/a	0	775
1996	462	270	16	24	3	n/a	n/a	0	775
1997	444	311	13	25	2	n/a	n/a	0	795
1998	397	303	16	32	5	n/a	n/a	0	753
1999	379	317	14	26	4	n/a	n/a	0	740
2000	336	258	12	19	3	n/a	n/a	0	628
2001	290	267	11	24	3	n/a	n/a	0	595
2002	309	300	16	40	2	n/a	n/a	0	667
2003	309	300	16	40	2	n/a	n/a	0	667
2004	285	305	16	39	1	n/a	n/a	0	646
2005	257	302	14	25	4	n/a	n/a	49	651
2006	247	337	19	33	1	n/a	n/a	62	699
2007	216	292	17	34	1	n/a	n/a	56	616
2008	198	322	11	31	2	n/a	n/a	62	626
2009	152	289	8	23	3	n/a	n/a	48	523
2010	133	273	13	0	2	0	69	0	490
2011	138	346	15	34	2	0	41	0	576
2012	139	328	16	29	0	0	44	0	556
2013	136	317	9	40	0	2	38	0	542
2014	122	313	10	42	0	1	33	0	521
2015	112	316	5	46	2	2	39	0	522
2016	90	347	4	46	1	3	34	0	525
2017	65	314	4	41	0	3	35	0	462
2018	64	332	1	33	0	2	30	0	462
2019	56	351	0	24	0	0	32	0	463
2020	55	350	1	21	1	0	35	0	463
2021	53	313	1	32	0	0	40	0	439
2022	53	321	2	41	0	0	23	0	440
2023	51	359	2	40	0	0	21	0	473
2024	42	365	8	40	0	0	27	0	482

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Waddell Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	680	30.0	22.6	9.4
1991	698	31.0	22.5	8.5
1992	776	31.0	25.0	12.9
1993	807	30.0	26.9	23.2
1994	774	38.9	19.9	28
1995	775	36.0	21.5	35.6
1996	775	36.0	21.5	35.6
1997	795	34.7	22.9	45.8
1998	753	38.3	19.7	51.9
1999	740	41.8	17.7	44.1
2000	628	36.5	17.2	44.3
2001	595	28.7	20.7	55
2002	667	32.6	20.5	53.1
2003	667	32.6	20.5	53.1
2004	646	32.8	19.7	51.7
2005	651	36.9	17.6	56.5
2006	699	38.7	18.1	63.3
2007	616	37.8	16.3	65.4
2008	626	37.5	16.7	69
2009	523	33.6	15.6	70.9
2010	490	31.0	15.8	66.9
2011	576	33.6	17.1	72
2012	556	33.5	16.5	74.8
2013	542	32.0	16.9	77.7
2014	521	30.5	17.0	81
2015	522	30.0	17.4	81.4
2016	525	31.0	16.9	81.5
2017	462	27.0	17.1	100
2018	462	28.5	16.2	94.4
2019	463	28.5	16.2	94.4
2020	463	28.5	16.2	91.8
2021	439	28.0	15.6	96.6
2022	440	28.5	15.4	n/a
2023	473	28.5	16.5	96.6
2024	482	28.4	16.9	100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Waddell Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	680	30.0	22.6	9.4
1991	698	31.0	22.5	8.5
1992	776	31.0	25.0	12.9
1993	807	30.0	26.9	23.2
1994	774	38.9	19.9	28
1995	775	36.0	21.5	35.6
1996	775	36.0	21.5	35.6
1997	795	34.7	22.9	45.8
1998	753	38.3	19.7	51.9
1999	740	41.8	17.7	44.1
2000	628	36.5	17.2	44.3
2001	595	28.7	20.7	55
2002	667	32.6	20.5	53.1
2003	667	32.6	20.5	53.1
2004	646	32.8	19.7	51.7
2005	651	36.9	17.6	56.5
2006	699	38.7	18.1	63.3
2007	616	37.8	16.3	65.4
2008	626	37.5	16.7	69
2009	523	33.6	15.6	70.9
2010	490	31.0	15.8	66.9
2011	576	33.6	17.1	72
2012	556	33.5	16.5	74.8
2013	542	32.0	16.9	77.7
2014	521	30.5	17.0	81
2015	522	30.0	17.4	81.4
2016	525	31.0	16.9	81.5
2017	462	27.0	17.1	100
2018	462	28.5	16.2	94.4
2019	463	28.5	16.2	94.4
2020	463	28.5	16.2	91.8
2021	439	28.0	15.6	96.6
2022	440	28.5	15.4	n/a
2023	473	28.5	16.5	96.6
2024	482	28.4	16.9	100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Waddell Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2017	$788 (8.5%)	$8,535 (91.5%)	$9,323
2018	$784 (8.1%)	$8,874 (91.9%)	$9,659
2019	$914 (9.1%)	$9,082 (90.9%)	$9,996

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Waddell Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 724^th of 1234 Elementary schools	Ranks 935^th of 1242 Elementary schools	16.6%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Waddell Elementary School)	38.2	18.1	20.1%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Muscogee County)	34	26.6	7.4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	42	38.6	3.4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Waddell Elementary School)	23.5	22.2	1.3%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Muscogee County)	37.6	28.7	8.9%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	52	45.6	6.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Waddell Elementary School)	25.8	18.6	7.2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Muscogee County)	30	27.3	2.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	42	36.1	5.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Waddell Elementary School)	9.1	10.2	1.1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Muscogee County)	32.2	29.5	2.7%
4th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	49	45.7	3.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Waddell Elementary School)	44.6	34.4	10.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Muscogee County)	38.7	31.4	7.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	45	41.6	3.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Waddell Elementary School)	39.2	24.6	14.6%
5th Grade Mathematics (Muscogee County)	29.2	21.2	8%
5th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	41	37.4	3.6%
5th Grade Science (Waddell Elementary School)	38.4	31.1	7.3%
5th Grade Science (Muscogee County)	35.1	29.2	5.9%
5th Grade Science (Georgia)	43	40	3%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	463	473	2.2%
African American	351	359	2.3%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	0	2
Hispanic	24	40	66.7%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	56	51	8.9%
Two or More Races	32	21	34.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	94.4%	96.6%	2.2%

Schools Near Waddell Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				Milestones Assessment English Language Arts (2024)			Milestones Assessment Mathematics (2024)			Milestones Assessment Science (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 3rd Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 4th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 3rd Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 4th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Waddell Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6101 Miller Rd	Columbus	31907	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 569-3722	482	28	16.9	100.0%	42 (8.7%)	365 (75.7%)	40 (8.3%)	8 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (5.6%)	17.1	1059^th of 1248 public elementary schools	15.1%		24	935^th of 1242 public elementary schools	24.7%	124	33.3	10.8	34.3	20.3	12.2	1.5	19.7	$9,996	$915	$9,082
Reese Road Leadership Academy	Public	K-5	3100 Reese Rd	Columbus	31907	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 569-3684	395	31	12.9	80.0%	59 (14.9%)	206 (52.2%)	89 (22.5%)	7 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	33 (8.4%)	30.5	845^th of 1248 public elementary schools	32.3%		31.8	808^th of 1242 public elementary schools	34.9%	37	20.3	39.2	45.9	12.7	36.5	20.3	26.0	$10,230	$849	$9,381
Forrest Road Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6400 Forrest Rd	Columbus	31907	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 565-3061	355	21	16.7	100.0%	17 (4.8%)	292 (82.3%)	23 (6.5%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (6.2%)	13.5	1129^th of 1248 public elementary schools	9.5%		8.3	1208^th of 1242 public elementary schools	2.7%	79	6.3	9.8	31.8	10.9	29.4	18.2	20.5	$10,664	$936	$9,729
Midland Academy	Public	PK, KG-5	7373 Psalmond Rd	Midland	31820	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	No	(706) 569-3664	605	36	16.8	47.1%	120 (19.8%)	281 (46.4%)	91 (15.0%)	46 (7.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	65 (10.7%)	51.4	553^rd of 1248 public elementary schools	55.7%		27.4	878^th of 1242 public elementary schools	29.3%	325	41.1	40.2	45.7	43.2	58.6	28.4	27.2	$8,558	$349	$8,209
Gentian Elementary School	Public	K-5	4201 Primrose Rd	Columbus	31907	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 569-3625	446	41	11.0	100.0%	107 (24.0%)	243 (54.5%)	44 (9.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (11.4%)	25.6	922^nd of 1248 public elementary schools	26.1%		27.1	884^th of 1242 public elementary schools	28.8%	38	28.4	28.4	33.3	28.4	25.3	20.5	23.1	$11,376	$1,213	$10,163
Eagle Ridge Academy	Public	PK, KG-5	7576 Raider Way	Columbus	31909	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	No	(706) 569-3746	674	49	13.8	58.6%	251 (37.2%)	213 (31.6%)	110 (16.3%)	34 (5.0%)	3 (0.4%)	2 (0.3%)	61 (9.1%)	52.6	534^th of 1248 public elementary schools	57.2%		52.5	529^th of 1242 public elementary schools	57.4%	5	42.1	30.1	53.9	44.7	37.6	36.0	47.2	$9,707	$585	$9,122
Wesley Heights Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1801 Amber Dr	Columbus	31907	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 569-3733	395	25	15.9	100.0%	5 (1.3%)	346 (87.6%)	24 (6.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (4.8%)	17.7	1046^th of 1248 public elementary schools	16.2%		20.9	990^th of 1242 public elementary schools	20.3%	56	21.2	19.6	26.4	17.3	30.4	20.8	15.1	$8,681	$832	$7,849
Blanchard Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3512 Weems Rd	Columbus	31909	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	No	(706) 748-2461	470	32	14.9	47.9%	226 (48.1%)	124 (26.4%)	61 (13.0%)	7 (1.5%)	2 (0.4%)	2 (0.4%)	48 (10.2%)	41.8	665^th of 1248 public elementary schools	46.7%		40.1	685^th of 1242 public elementary schools	44.8%	20	25.4	34.2	34.2	30.5	43.8	39.2	41.8	$9,375	$464	$8,911
Mathews Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7533 Lynch Rd	Midland	31820	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	No	(706) 569-3656	710	42	17.1	28.6%	295 (41.5%)	208 (29.3%)	115 (16.2%)	15 (2.1%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	75 (10.6%)	80.7	224^th of 1248 public elementary schools	82.1%		76.8	266^th of 1242 public elementary schools	78.6%	42	47.9	54.7	67.0	47.9	71.6	60.7	61.6	$8,323	$419	$7,903
Georgetown Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	954 High Ln	Columbus	31907	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 565-2980	411	28	14.9	100.0%	13 (3.2%)	353 (85.9%)	17 (4.1%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (6.1%)	12	1156^th of 1248 public elementary schools	7.4%		8.9	1202^nd of 1242 public elementary schools	3.2%	46	23.8	10.6	25.0	17.5	10.6	9.4	15.6	$8,764	$837	$7,927

Frequently Asked Questions about Waddell Elementary School

What district is Waddell Elementary School in?

Muscogee County

What is the racial makeup of Waddell Elementary School?

Students at Waddell Elementary School are 76% African American, 9% White, 8% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

Is Waddell Elementary School a good school?

Waddell Elementary School ranks in the bottom 15.1% of Georgia elementary schools.

How many students attend Waddell Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 482 students attended Waddell Elementary School.

Rate Waddell Elementary School!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Georgia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.