The bulletin board for America's public schools. Parents, teachers, students, and staff. One community per school.

Burke County

Georgia · Public K-12

Burke County is a Georgia county whose public-school system spans 5 campuses and approximately 3,841 students. Median household income runs about $53,014. That works out to 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.

7-year change in Burke County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
3,841
-365 (-9%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
5
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
26%
was 27%
% Hispanic
6%
was 3%
% Black
63%
was 65%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
5
1 districts
Enrollment
3,841
NCES CCD
Median income
$53,014
Below Georgia avg
Free/reduced lunch
95.4%
Above Georgia avg
Elementary
3
1,880 students
Middle
1
828 students
High
1
1,133 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Burke County Public Schools
3,841 students · 1 district in Burke County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Burke County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".

County residents
White
50%
Hispanic
4%
Black
45%
Asian
1%
Two or more
3%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
26%
Hispanic
6%
Black
63%
Asian
0%
Two or more
5%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
15.5%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
18.6%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.0%
civilian labor
Median age
38
24.5% under 18

Test scores in Burke County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 3 schools ranked. Georgia state average: 40.1%.

See all 3 schools in Burke County ranked by score →

All schools (5)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Burke County High SchoolWaynesboroHigh09-121,133·
Waynesboro Primary SchoolWaynesboroElementaryPK-02924·
Burke County Middle SchoolWaynesboroMiddle06-08828·
Blakeney ElementaryWaynesboroElementary03-05726·
S G A Elementary SchoolSardisElementaryPK-05230·

Cities in Burke County

Waynesboro4 schoolsSardis1 school

About Burke County

Burke County is a thinly populated Georgia county of about 24,470 residents, home to 5 public schools and roughly 3,841 students.

Zooming out, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $53,014, 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the federal-poverty share is near 19%. That income level is 16% meaningfully below the Georgia median.

On the level-by-level breakdown, Burke County consists of 3 elementary schools (1,880 students), 1 middle school (828), and 1 high school (1,133).

Burke County Public Schools is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 3,841 students across Burke County.

Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in Burke County has contracted 9% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 4,206 students to 3,841.

On this page, the community for Burke County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.

Frequently asked questions

How many K-12 schools serve Burke County?
There are 5 public K-12 schools in Burke County, Georgia, with a combined enrollment of about 3,841.
How many high schools are in Burke County?
Burke County, Georgia has 1 public high school, serving approximately 1,133 students.
How many middle schools are in Burke County?
Burke County, Georgia has 1 public middle school, serving approximately 828 students.
How many elementary schools are in Burke County?
Burke County, Georgia has 3 public elementary schools, serving approximately 1,880 students.
What is the largest school district in Burke County?
Burke County Public Schools is the largest school district in Burke County, serving approximately 3,841 students. The county contains 1 school district overall.
How many people live in Burke County?
Burke County has roughly 24,470 residents according to the latest Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What is the median household income in Burke County?
Median household income in Burke County is $53,014, below the Georgia average of $62,740. About 18.6% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Burke County?
Approximately 15.5% of adults 25 and older in Burke County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Burke County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 95.4% of students in Burke County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is higher than the Georgia county average of 82.6%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Burke County schools?
Across Burke County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 12.7 to 1.
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data