East Laurens High reports 255 African American students for 2024-25

For the 2024-25 school year, East Laurens High School had 255 African American students enrolled, a decrease of 2.3% compared to the prior year, reports the Georgia Department of Education.

According to data, the school’s total enrollment was 656 students, with African American students representing 39% of the population, making them the second-largest demographic group on campus.

East Laurens High School operates within Laurens County School District, based in Dublin.

Out of the eight schools in the Laurens County School District, West Laurens High School had the largest number of African American enrollees in 2024-25, totaling 323 students.

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that public school demographics in Georgia consist of roughly 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 students.

Chronic absenteeism has persisted in Georgia’s schools following the pandemic, affecting 20.7% of students who missed at least 10% of school days in 2024, according to Georgia Department of Education figures. In response, GaDOE initiated statewide measures including an attendance dashboard, public-awareness campaigns, and targeted district support to improve daily attendance rates.

Beginning in 2025, Georgia changed attendance laws to prohibit expulsion solely based on absenteeism. The law introduces new reporting obligations and coordinates with existing programs offering alternative diploma paths for students.

By 2026, Georgia’s average student-to-teacher ratio was about 14:1, which is better than the national average of 15:1.