Wilkes County Schools & Education
Wilkes County, Georgia
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
32/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
82.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
82.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.1%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,426
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,405
School Score
32/100
Higher = better
State avg 50/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#136
of 159 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Wilkes County
School Verdict
Wilkes County faces educational challenges with a school score of 32/100 and a graduation rate of 82.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $7,426 per pupil, Wilkes County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Wilkes County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 36% below the Georgia average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 6.1 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 0% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Wilkes County, Georgia
A Multi-Level Rural School System
Wilkes County features five public schools serving a total of 1,270 students. The infrastructure includes two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, plus a specialized juvenile justice facility. All regular public schools are managed by a single county district.
Matching State Averages in Spending
The county's graduation rate is 82.0%, which is slightly below the state average of 88.1%. Wilkes County spends $7,426 per pupil, aligning almost perfectly with the Georgia state average. The school score of 50.2 remains competitive with national medians.
Wilkes County District at a Glance
The Wilkes County school district serves 1,265 students across four primary campuses. There are zero charter schools in the county, meaning public education is entirely centralized. A separate five-student facility is managed by the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Quiet Town and Rural Campuses
Schools are split between rural and town settings, with an average enrollment of only 254 students per school. Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High is the largest at 356 students, while the elementary and middle schools are also small. This low enrollment creates an intimate learning environment for local youth.
Personalized Education in a Small Town
For families who value small school sizes and individual attention, Wilkes County is an excellent place to call home. The manageable enrollment numbers allow students to be known by name rather than just a number. Consider the local housing market for a community-oriented lifestyle near these schools.
School Overview
Total Schools
5
in Wilkes County
Total Enrollment
1,270
students
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
1 School District in Wilkes County
Wilkes County
5 Public Schools in Wilkes County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School | Wilkes County | 9–12 | High | 356 |
| Washington-Wilkes Primary School | Wilkes County | KG–3 | Primary | 347 |
| Washington-Wilkes Middle School | Wilkes County | 6–8 | Middle | 297 |
| Washington-Wilkes Elementary School | Wilkes County | 4–5 | Primary | 265 |
| Wilkes County Regional Detention Center | Department of Juvenile Justice | 8–9 | Special Education | 5 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,426
State avg $7,405
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Wilkes County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Wilkes County?
How much does Wilkes County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Wilkes County, Georgia — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Wilkes County, Georgia?
Wilkes County features five public schools serving a total of 1,270 students. The infrastructure includes two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, plus a specialized juvenile justice facility. All regular public schools are managed by a single county district.
How do schools in Wilkes County perform academically?
The county's graduation rate is 82.0%, which is slightly below the state average of 88.1%. Wilkes County spends $7,426 per pupil, aligning almost perfectly with the Georgia state average. The school score of 50.2 remains competitive with national medians.
What are the major school districts in Wilkes County, Georgia?
The Wilkes County school district serves 1,265 students across four primary campuses. There are zero charter schools in the county, meaning public education is entirely centralized. A separate five-student facility is managed by the Department of Juvenile Justice.
What is the school experience like in Wilkes County?
Schools are split between rural and town settings, with an average enrollment of only 254 students per school. Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High is the largest at 356 students, while the elementary and middle schools are also small. This low enrollment creates an intimate learning environment for local youth.
How can I find homes near good schools in Wilkes County, Georgia?
For families who value small school sizes and individual attention, Wilkes County is an excellent place to call home. The manageable enrollment numbers allow students to be known by name rather than just a number. Consider the local housing market for a community-oriented lifestyle near these schools.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.