The top reported proficiency rate is 85% in Social studies. The lowest is 30% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Washington-wilkes Elementary School
Washington-Wilkes Elementary School is a small upper-elementary school in the historic county seat of Washington, serving fourth and fifth grades. The school is located at 109 East St in a town of antebellum homes and brick ranches surrounded by farmland, where civic life clusters around the town square downtown and daily mobility is primarily by car.
The school's academic results show consistent weakness across tested subjects. In English language arts, about a third of students score at proficiency on Georgia's End-of-Grade assessment, with fourth grade at roughly that level and fifth grade slightly higher. Mathematics proficiency sits near one-half across both grades, placing it in the lower range statewide. Science proficiency in fifth grade is around one-third. These are low attainment levels; a parent may want to look into the school's instructional approach and any support the district is providing to understand the root causes and trajectory.
The student body is economically disadvantaged. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the county's rural economy. Demographically, the enrollment is racially and ethnically mixed: roughly one-half Black, one-quarter white, roughly one-tenth Hispanic, and small representation of Asian and multiracial students. The school also admits younger students in pre-K, creating a mixed grade-level campus.
Wilkes County as a whole has been on a long-term demographic decline, from a population peak nearly a century ago through closures of manufacturing plants, though the county has held stable in recent years at a small population. The local economy centers on public employment, healthcare through Wills Memorial Hospital, a wood-products mill, and agriculture, with some residents commuting to Athens or Augusta. Housing values in Washington remain affordable relative to state and national benchmarks. The city government has been actively pursuing redevelopment through utility incentives, broadband upgrades, and a proposed Business Improvement Tax District.
The Wilkes County Schools district made a notable operational shift in December 2024 by becoming the first district in Georgia to run all daily bus routes exclusively with zero- and ultra-low-emission buses, improving air quality on student transportation and generating substantial cost savings for the district. The district also has a one-cent sales tax referendum scheduled for May 2026 that will affect the district's capital funding and local tax structure.
Washington-Wilkes Elementary is the only school in its grade band serving the city, so there is no choice within the district at this level. State testing data for prior years was not available, so recent year-to-year trend is unknown. The school's low proficiency rates warrant direct conversation with school leadership about instructional priorities and any interventions underway.
See more original research from School Decision →