White students accounted for 74% of Gum Springs Elementary’s enrollment in 2024-25

Gum Springs Elementary School reported enrolling 635 white students for the 2024-25 school year, a decline of 23% from the prior year, Georgia Department of Education data showed. See more from the Georgia Department of Education.

The school’s total enrollment reached 859 students for the 2024-25 school year. White students constituted 74% of this total, making them the predominant group at the school.

Located in the Jackson County School District, Gum Springs has its district’s central office in Jefferson.

Among the district’s 10 schools, Jackson County High School saw the highest white student enrollment in 2024-25, with 1,238 students.

The National Center for Education Statistics reported that the racial and ethnic breakdown of Georgia’s public school students included 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 issue in Georgia’s schools post-pandemic, with the Georgia Department of Education noting 20.7% of students missed 10% or more of their school days in 2024. To address this, the department initiated a statewide program that features a real-time attendance dashboard, a campaign to raise public awareness, and additional support for districts with the highest need.

Beginning in 2025, Georgia enacted new legislation that prevents schools from expelling students solely due to absenteeism; the law also implements new reporting rules and supports diploma completion through alternative means.

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