Center Elementary School

Summary:

Center Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Waycross, Georgia, serving 480 students in grades K-5. The school is part of the Ware County School District, which is ranked 77 out of 203 districts in the state and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Academically, Center Elementary School has consistently underperformed compared to the Ware County and Georgia state averages on the Milestones Assessment, with lower proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science across all grade levels. The school's statewide ranking has declined over the years, dropping from a 5-star rating in 2013-2014 to a 2-star rating in 2023-2024. This is in contrast to nearby schools like Waresboro Elementary, Ruskin Elementary, Memorial Drive Elementary, and Wacona Elementary, which generally perform better on the Milestones Assessments and have higher statewide rankings and ratings.

One notable exception is Patterson Elementary School, located in the neighboring Pierce County district, which significantly outperforms Center Elementary School and the other nearby schools. This suggests that higher academic achievement is possible, even in a similar socioeconomic context. The high percentage of students at Center Elementary School receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 93.67% to 97.76% over the past few years, indicates a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population, which may be a contributing factor to the school's lower academic performance.


Detail:

Public K-5

 2114 Dorothy St
       Waycross, GA  31501


(912) 287-2366

District: Ware County

SchoolDigger Rank:
715th of 1,248 Georgia Elementary Schools


Students who attend Center Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Waycross Middle School
High:    Ware County High School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.8 Help
Number of students:  480

Racial breakdown:

African American:
57.3%
White:
29.0%
Hispanic:
7.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  93.8% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Center Elementary School ranks worse than 57.3% of elementary schools in Georgia. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 38.71. (See more...)
Finance
Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Ware County:

SchoolDigger ranks Ware County 77th of 203 Georgia school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Center Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools GA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 46.16 686th 1101 37.7%
2007 64.40 423rd 1125 62.4%
2008 59.64 505th 1134 55.5%
2009 54.65 570th 1133 49.7%
2010 49.47 712th 1183 39.8%
2011 56.33 628th 1212 48.2%
2012 74.81 288th 1201 76.0%
2013 79.39 206th 1225 83.2%
2014 83.17 114th 1231 90.7%
2015 79.18 220th 1240 82.3%
2016 68.04 346th 1233 71.9%
2017 67.75 339th 1205 71.9%
2018 56.09 475th 1209 60.7%
2019 44.79 658th 1234 46.7%
2021 40.55 670th 1214 44.8%
2022 37.64 733rd 1244 41.1%
2023 34.28 777th 1242 37.4%
2024 38.71 715th 1248 42.7%
See the entire list of Georgia Elementary School Rankings!

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

Center Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for Center Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1995 243 263 6 2 0 n/a n/a 0 514
1996 243 263 6 2 0 n/a n/a 0 514
1997 225 282 3 0 0 n/a n/a 0 510
1998 222 301 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 528
1999 192 286 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 481
2000 173 252 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 427
2001 175 250 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 427
2002 198 246 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 449
2003 198 246 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 449
2004 219 232 2 4 0 n/a n/a 0 457
2005 197 254 4 7 0 n/a n/a 9 471
2006 207 275 5 10 0 n/a n/a 9 506
2007 216 255 5 10 2 n/a n/a 10 498
2008 178 264 5 13 1 n/a n/a 3 464
2009 169 238 7 13 0 n/a n/a 12 439
2010 184 237 2 13 0 0 0 0 436
2011 191 237 2 24 0 0 2 0 456
2012 190 245 2 31 0 0 10 0 478
2013 179 231 3 27 0 0 15 0 455
2014 183 232 7 27 0 0 17 0 466
2015 189 247 5 25 0 0 29 0 495
2016 194 282 7 28 0 0 29 0 540
2017 183 283 5 31 0 0 28 0 530
2018 178 311 4 27 0 0 35 0 555
2019 184 325 6 25 3 0 25 0 568
2020 183 289 8 27 0 0 23 0 530
2021 159 276 7 27 0 0 22 0 491
2022 150 263 4 27 0 0 35 0 479
2023 139 275 2 34 0 0 30 0 480

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 Center Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1995 514 32.0 16.1 52.5
1996 514 32.0 16.1 52.5
1997 510 35.0 14.6 65.3
1998 528 39.8 13.3 68
1999 481 39.7 12.1 77.5
2000 427 39.5 10.8 75.9
2001 427 30.0 14.2 72.1
2002 449 30.8 14.6 65.7
2003 449 30.8 14.6 65.7
2004 457 26.2 17.4 63.2
2005 471 39.3 12.0 68.8
2006 506 39.0 13.0 68.8
2007 498 38.9 12.8 67.4
2008 464 37.5 12.4 67.7
2009 439 35.5 12.4 76.3
2010 436 31.9 13.6 70.6
2011 456 31.3 14.5 74.1
2012 478 31.3 15.2 72.8
2013 455 30.9 14.7 75.6
2014 466 30.9 15.0 76.6
2015 495 31.0 15.9 90.1
2016 540 33.0 16.3 90
2017 530 34.7 15.2 90.2
2018 555 34.8 15.9 90.1
2019 568 39.5 14.3 97.7
2020 530 39.9 13.2 97.7
2021 491 35.9 13.6 97.8
2022 479 37.9 12.6 n/a
2023 480 34.6 13.8 93.8

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 Center Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1995 514 32.0 16.1 52.5
1996 514 32.0 16.1 52.5
1997 510 35.0 14.6 65.3
1998 528 39.8 13.3 68
1999 481 39.7 12.1 77.5
2000 427 39.5 10.8 75.9
2001 427 30.0 14.2 72.1
2002 449 30.8 14.6 65.7
2003 449 30.8 14.6 65.7
2004 457 26.2 17.4 63.2
2005 471 39.3 12.0 68.8
2006 506 39.0 13.0 68.8
2007 498 38.9 12.8 67.4
2008 464 37.5 12.4 67.7
2009 439 35.5 12.4 76.3
2010 436 31.9 13.6 70.6
2011 456 31.3 14.5 74.1
2012 478 31.3 15.2 72.8
2013 455 30.9 14.7 75.6
2014 466 30.9 15.0 76.6
2015 495 31.0 15.9 90.1
2016 540 33.0 16.3 90
2017 530 34.7 15.2 90.2
2018 555 34.8 15.9 90.1
2019 568 39.5 14.3 97.7
2020 530 39.9 13.2 97.7
2021 491 35.9 13.6 97.8
2022 479 37.9 12.6 n/a
2023 480 34.6 13.8 93.8

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 Center Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2017 $798 (9.8%) $7,376 (90.2%) $8,174
2018 $920 (11.0%) $7,477 (89.0%) $8,397
2019 $776 (8.8%) $8,067 (91.2%) $8,843

Data source: Georgia Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Center 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 658th of 1234 Elementary schoolsRanks 777th of 1242 Elementary schools
 9.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Center Elementary School)37.225.7
 11.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Ware County)40.430.6
 9.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)4238.6
 3.4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Center Elementary School)34.524.3
 10.2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Ware County)40.539
 1.5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Georgia)5245.6
 6.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Center Elementary School)42.227.4
 14.8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Ware County)46.932.5
 14.4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)4236.1
 5.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Center Elementary School)43.644
 0.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Ware County)48.742.8
 5.9%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)4945.7
 3.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Center Elementary School)48.332.4
 15.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Ware County)45.138.6
 6.5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)4541.6
 3.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Center Elementary School)29.220.3
 8.9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Ware County)41.137
 4.1%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)4137.4
 3.6%
5th Grade Science (Center Elementary School)46.131.1
 15%
   5th Grade Science (Ware County)4743.4
 3.6%
   5th Grade Science (Georgia)4340
 3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students568480
 15.5%
African American325275
 15.4%
American Indian30
 100%
Asian62
 66.7%
Hispanic2534
 36%
Pacific Islander00
White184139
 24.5%
Two or More Races2530
 20%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients97.7%93.8%
 4%


Schools Near Center Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Center Elementary School

In the 2022-23 school year, 480 students attended Center Elementary School.

Students who attend Center Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Waycross Middle School
High : Ware County High School

Center Elementary School ranks 715th of 1248 Georgia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at Center Elementary School are 57% African American, 29% White, 7% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races.


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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.





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