Holsenbeck Elementary enrolls 60 African American students for 2024-25

Holsenbeck Elementary School had 60 African American students enrolled for the 2024-25 term, matching the count from the prior year, according to the Georgia Department of Education.

Overall enrollment at Holsenbeck Elementary School reached 761 students in 2024-25. African American students accounted for 8% of the school’s population, the second-smallest group represented.

The school operates within Barrow County School District, which is based in Winder.

Of the 16 schools in Barrow County School District, Apalachee High School had the largest number of African American students in the 2024-25 term, enrolling 364 students.

For public schools statewide, the National Center for Education Statistics reported that Georgia’s student body was about 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.

Chronic absenteeism continues to be a significant concern in Georgia schools after the pandemic. The Georgia Department of Education found that 20.7% of students missed at least 10% of their school days in 2024. In response, GaDOE rolled out a statewide campaign, introducing an attendance dashboard, public awareness efforts, and tailored supports for districts with greater needs.

In 2025, Georgia legislators approved an update to school attendance policies prohibiting expulsions based solely on absenteeism. The new law adds requirements for reporting and coordinates with initiatives aimed at helping students graduate through alternative diploma routes.

By 2026, Georgia’s average student-to-teacher ratio stood at about 14:1, compared to the national norm of 15:1.