Shaw High School enrolled 170 Hispanic students for 2024-25, down 17.5% from prior year

During the 2024-25 school year, Shaw High School reported 170 Hispanic students—representing a 17.5% decrease compared with the prior year, as detailed by the Georgia Department of Education.

The total student body for the same period was 1,136, and Hispanic students comprised 15%, making them the school’s second-largest group.

Located in Muscogee County School District with its central office in Columbus, the school is one of several in the area.

Jordan Vocational High School had the highest Hispanic student enrollment in Muscogee County School District for the 2024-25 school year, totaling 233 students among the district’s 51 schools.

As reported by the National Center for Education Statistics, Georgia’s public schools had 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 continues to impact Georgia schools following the pandemic, with the Georgia Department of Education reporting that 20.7% of students missed 10% or more school days in 2024. The state’s response includes a real-time attendance dashboard, a statewide awareness effort, and targeted resources for districts with the highest needs to increase attendance.

In 2025, Georgia lawmakers enacted changes to school attendance policies, prohibiting expulsion based solely on absences. The legislation also introduced additional reporting rules and is consistent with programs offering alternative diploma pathways.

By 2026, the student-to-teacher ratio in Georgia averaged nearly 14:1, which is lower than the national average of 15:1.