The top reported proficiency rate is 24% in Math. The lowest is 14% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Burke County Middle School
Burke County Middle School serves grades six through eight in Waynesboro, the county seat of Burke County. The school is part of Burke County Public Schools, a system known for above-average per-pupil spending relative to the state, supported by a property-tax base substantially tied to the Vogtle nuclear generating plant.
The school's current state test results show proficiency challenges across all tested subjects. In math, proficiency ranges from low in sixth grade to modest in eighth grade. English language arts proficiency is similarly low across all three grades. Science proficiency in eighth grade is particularly low, and social studies proficiency in eighth grade is also limited. These results suggest that a substantial majority of students are not meeting state proficiency standards in any measured subject area. A parent may want to discuss with the school what academic support pathways exist for students working below proficiency and what the school's approach is to grade-level remediation and skill-building in core subjects.
The student body is predominantly Black and economically vulnerable. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a proxy for family income below the federal poverty or near-poverty threshold. The student population also includes a sizable share identifying as White, and smaller shares identifying as multiracial or Hispanic. No data on students with IEPs or English learners was available, so the school's capacity to serve those populations cannot be assessed from the information provided.
The school enrolls a moderate number of students across its three grades, distributed relatively evenly. Housing values in Waynesboro's zip code are below the state average. The area is experiencing significant new residential development, including the St. George Crossing New Urbanism project backed by a state grant and planned to eventually add several hundred residential units, as well as new affordable housing communities. Simultaneously, two major manufacturers are expanding operations in Burke County, adding industrial jobs. This growth may be reshaping the town's economic and demographic profile over coming years.
The school sits within a county district that, despite current test proficiency challenges, is among the best-funded public school systems in Georgia. The district funds universal pre-kindergarten and paraprofessionals in early elementary classrooms without a local sales tax (most Georgia districts use a 1-cent education sales tax), relying instead on property-tax revenue anchored by the Vogtle facility. For families choosing between districts, Burke County's approach means lower local sales tax but heavier dependence on property-tax base stability.
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