The top reported proficiency rate is 77% in Social studies. The lowest is 19% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Blakeney Elementary
Blakeney Elementary serves the upper elementary grades in Waynesboro, a small county-seat town south of Augusta. The school's current enrollment is made up predominantly of students from Black households, with substantial shares from white and Hispanic families. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic profile of the community.
State test results from the most recent year show proficiency rates well below the state midpoint across all tested subjects. In English language arts, proficiency ranged from low teens to low twenties across grades three through five. Mathematics proficiency was slightly higher but still in the low to mid-thirties at best. Science proficiency in fifth grade was similarly in the low twenties. These results mark a significant academic challenge for the school. A parent may want to look into what instructional supports and interventions the school is deploying, particularly in foundational literacy and numeracy, and what the school's trajectory has been in prior years. Only one year of current-assessment data is available here, so trends cannot yet be determined.
Waynesboro itself sits within an industrial and agricultural county experiencing notable economic transition. Major employers including Plant Vogtle nuclear plant, GE, and legacy manufacturers anchor the local economy, with two substantial new transformer manufacturing facilities recently announced or under construction. The town is known for its historic downtown commercial district along US Highway 25 (Liberty Street) and markets itself as the "Bird Dog Capital of the World." Residential life blends antebellum and Victorian homes with newer construction, and civic anchors include the historical museum and county recreation facilities, though public transit is limited and most residents rely on personal vehicles.
Housing values in the area are moderate. Property values have benefited from industrial growth, particularly the addition of Plant Vogtle Unit 3 to the local tax digest before 2024, which expanded the county's taxable base and improved the school district's funding capacity. This boost enabled Burke County to fund pre-kindergarten for all county children and place paraprofessionals in every kindergarten through third-grade classroom, and the district spends well above the state average per student. Unlike nearly all other Georgia districts, Burke County funds capital projects without a current education sales tax, relying instead on the property-tax base.
The county is also positioned for residential growth. A large mixed-use development called St. George Crossing, designed in New Urbanism style and backed by a OneGeorgia grant, is underway with plans for up to multiple hundred residential units ranging from single-family homes to multifamily buildings. Additional apartment communities are also being built, including affordable housing financed through tax credits. These projects may bring both demographic shifts and enrollment pressure to Burke County schools over the coming years.
Blakeney Elementary is the only regular public school in Burke County. The school operates as a traditional public elementary within the county district, serving a community with significant economic need and academic challenges that merit careful parent inquiry into how the school targets support for students working below grade level.
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