The top reported proficiency rate is 71% in Science. The lowest is 59% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on George Washington Academy
George Washington Academy is a single-school charter district in St. George that serves kindergarten through eighth grade. Because it is a charter district, it operates independently from the larger Washington County School District, and its governance structure is different from a traditional district. The school has an enrollment that is relatively large for a K-8 charter, and the student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic minority and smaller shares of Asian, two-or-more-races, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and Black students. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, receive special education services, or are English learners was not available in the record.
Academically, George Washington Academy posts results that place it at the top among Washington County’s districts. On the state RISE assessments in math, English language arts, and science, the school’s proficiency rates for grades three through eight were well above the median for the county’s six districts, landing in the top quartile across tested subjects and grades. Science proficiency was the strongest subject, with a clear majority of students scoring proficient or above. Math proficiency was lower than science but still solidly above the district-level averages in the county. English language arts proficiency was in a similar range to math. These figures cover all students in the tested grades and represent a single year’s snapshot; the state changed cut scores for ELA in a recent year, which means a direct comparison with prior years is not straightforward, but the overall picture is one of strong academic performance relative to other districts in the area.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Chronic absenteeism was reported as zero, which is the lowest possible rate and the best in the county among those measured, although the school’s K-8 grade band may partly explain low absence levels that are typical of elementary and middle grades. Per-pupil current spending at George Washington Academy was in the lower range among Washington County’s districts. A parent looking at the school should ask what that spending level supports in terms of class sizes, arts and enrichment, facilities, and staff compensation; the record does not provide details on those.
The curriculum at George Washington Academy is publicly reported to have been consistent for several years, with a long-standing reliance on the Core Knowledge sequence, Saxon Math, the Spalding writing and reading program, and the 7 Habits leadership framework. No recent changes to property taxes, referenda, or curriculum shifts were found in the available materials. The school was named a Charter School of the Year several years ago, which is a past recognition rather than a current operational change. The district brief turned up no parent-relevant changes that would affect a family’s decision today.
There is no locale brief provided for the city or immediate area. That means the narrative cannot describe the housing market, commute patterns, or community character around the school. A family considering this school would need to investigate the St. George area on their own, including housing costs, neighborhood feel, and the availability of high school options for graduates, since George Washington Academy ends at eighth grade. The school’s academic record is strong within its grade band and stands out in the county, but the incomplete data on student support needs and spending means a parent should verify directly with the school what resources are available for students who need extra help or enrichment beyond the core curriculum.
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