African American students account for 61% of 2024-25 enrollment at William M. McGarrah Elementary

In the 2024-25 school year, William M. McGarrah Elementary School enrolled 380 African American students, up 3.8% compared to the prior year, according to the Georgia Department of Education.

Total enrollment for William M. McGarrah Elementary reached 623 students for 2024-25. African American students made up 61% of the population, representing the school’s largest demographic group.

The school is overseen by the Clayton County School District, headquartered in Jonesboro.

Out of the 65 Clayton County School District schools, Lovejoy High School had the largest number of African American students in 2024-25, with 1,614 enrolled.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Georgia’s public school enrollment was estimated at 36.4% Black, 35.9% white, 18.1% Hispanic, 4% Asian, 4.6% multiracial, 0.2% American Indian or Alaska Native and 0.1% Pacific Islander.

Since the pandemic, chronic absenteeism has significantly impacted Georgia schools. The Georgia Department of Education reports that 20.7% of students missed at least 10% of school days in 2024. In response, the department has introduced several statewide initiatives, including a real-time attendance dashboard, a public outreach campaign, and targeted support for districts with higher need to improve daily attendance.

In 2025, Georgia lawmakers updated attendance laws to prohibit expulsion for absenteeism alone. The new legislation also features revised reporting requirements and aligns attendance policies with expanded diploma options for students.

For 2026, Georgia maintained an average student-teacher ratio of about 14:1, which compares favorably to the national gap of 15:1.