Hispanic enrollment reaches 221 at Hawthorne Elementary for 2024-25

In the 2024-25 school year, Hawthorne Elementary School enrolled 221 Hispanic students, a 12.2% increase from the prior year, reports the Georgia Department of Education.

The total student population at Hawthorne Elementary School reached 792 in 2024-25. Hispanic students comprised 28% of all students, making them the school’s second-largest demographic group.

Hawthorne Elementary is part of the Clayton County School District, whose central offices are located in Jonesboro.

Of the 65 schools in Clayton County School District, Forest Park High School reported the highest Hispanic student enrollment during 2024-25, with 882 students.

Georgia public schools enrolled over 1.7 million students, according to the Georgia Department of Education’s Fiscal Year 2026-1 report. Most students were in elementary grades at 787,206 (45.9%), followed by 388,733 in middle school (22.7%) and 539,092 in high school (31.4%).

The rate of chronic absenteeism persists as a significant challenge in Georgia schools following the pandemic, with 20.7% of students missing 10% or more school days in 2024, according to the Georgia Department of Education. To address this, GaDOE rolled out a statewide strategy that includes a real-time attendance dashboard, a public awareness effort, and additional support for districts with high needs to improve daily attendance.

In 2025, Georgia lawmakers enacted a measure updating attendance laws, prohibiting expulsions solely for absenteeism. The new law also introduces expanded reporting and coordinates with programs that offer alternate diploma completion options for students.

As of 2026, Georgia reported an average student-to-teacher ratio of about 14:1, slightly better than the national average of 15:1.