In the 2024-25 school year, William M. McGarrah Elementary School enrolled 62 Asian students, a 3.3% increase over the prior year, according to the Georgia Department of Education.
Total enrollment at William M. McGarrah Elementary School reached 623 students for 2024-25. Asian students represented 10% of the population, ranking as the third-largest demographic group at the school.
The school is part of the Clayton County School District, which has its main office in Jonesboro.
Out of the 65 schools within the Clayton County School District, Morrow High School had the highest count of Asian students in 2024-25, enrolling 141 students.
More than 1.7 million students attended public schools in Georgia, the Georgia Department of Education’s Fiscal Year 2026-1 report showed. Enrollment peaked in elementary grades, which totaled 787,206 students (45.9%), with middle schools at 388,733 students (22.7%) and high schools at 539,092 students (31.4%).
Chronic absenteeism remains a significant concern for Georgia schools following the pandemic, with 20.7% of students absent 10% or more days in 2024, the Georgia Department of Education said. The statewide initiative launched by GaDOE includes a real-time attendance dashboard, public outreach, and targeted aid for the districts most in need of improved attendance.
In 2025, state lawmakers updated attendance policies, prohibiting expulsion solely because of absenteeism. The law introduces new reporting rules and aligns with pathways helping students earn diplomas through alternatives.
As of 2026, the average student–teacher ratio in Georgia was about 14:1, which is below the national average of 15:1.
| School Year | Total Enrollment | Total Asian students | % of Asian students |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-11 | 635 | 88 | 14% |
| 2011-12 | 648 | 90 | 14% |
| 2012-13 | 661 | 85 | 13% |
| 2013-14 | 684 | 82 | 12% |
| 2014-15 | 684 | 82 | 12% |
| 2015-16 | 684 | 75 | 11% |
| 2016-17 | 722 | 64 | 9% |
| 2017-18 | 690 | 62 | 9% |
| 2018-19 | 651 | 65 | 10% |
| 2019-20 | 660 | 72 | 11% |
| 2020-21 | 626 | 62 | 10% |
| 2021-22 | 611 | 54 | 9% |
| 2022-23 | 598 | 53 | 9% |
| 2023-24 | 601 | 60 | 10% |
| 2024-25 | 623 | 62 | 10% |
