Polk County schools’ student body comprised mostly of white students in 2023-24 school year

Among the many ethnicities represented in Polk County schools, white was the most prevalent among Polk County students in the 2023-24 school year, according to the Georgia Department of Education.

Of the 7,503 students attending Polk County schools, 53.9% were white. Hispanic students were the second most common ethnicity, making up 26.1% of Polk County student body.

In the previous school year, white students were also the most common group in Polk County, representing 54.9% of the student body.

Westside Elementary School had the most diverse student body in Polk County including Asian, African American, Hispanic, American Indian or Alaska Native, multiracial and white.

In the 2023-24 school year, the total number of students enrolled in public schools in the county dropped 0.3% when compared to the previous year.

According to the Georgia Department of Education’s Fiscal Year 2025-3 report, over 1.7 million students were enrolled in Georgia’s public schools. The state boasted a diverse and closely distributed student body across grade levels, with approximately 806,891 students (46.5%) in elementary school, 393,308 (22.7%) in middle school, and 536,379 (30.9%) in high school.

Chronic absenteeism remains a major issue in Georgia schools post-pandemic, with 20.7% of students missing 10% or more of school days in 2024, according to the Georgia Department of Education. In response, GaDOE launched a statewide initiative including a real-time attendance dashboard, a public awareness campaign, and targeted support for high-need districts to boost daily attendance.

In 2025, Georgia lawmakers passed a bill updating school attendance laws to ban expulsion solely for absenteeism. The law also adds new reporting requirements and aligns with programs that help students earn diplomas through alternative paths.

As of 2025, Georgia has an average student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 14:1, which is better than the national average of 15:1. The state’s best ratios are found in preschool, with an average of 13:1, and in elementary and middle school grades, both at 14:1, while high schools have a higher average ratio of 16:1.