Harlem Middle School reported an enrollment of 10 Asian students for the 2024-25 school year, unchanged from the prior year, based on data from the Georgia Department of Education.
The school’s total student population reached 1,021 in the same year, with Asian students representing the smallest group at just 1% of all students.
Harlem Middle School is part of Columbia County Public Schools, which is headquartered in Evans.
Out of the 30 schools in Columbia County Public Schools, Lakeside High School registered the largest number of Asian students, enrolling 218 during the 2024-25 school year.
Figures from the National Center for Education Statistics show public schools in Georgia had a racial and ethnic makeup of 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 following the pandemic, with 20.7% of students missing at least 10% of school days in 2024. In response, the Georgia Department of Education has launched initiatives such as a statewide attendance dashboard, a public awareness campaign, and extra support for high-need districts to improve daily attendance rates.
Georgia lawmakers approved an update to school attendance laws in 2025, prohibiting expulsion solely due to absenteeism. The updated law also introduces new reporting requirements and supports alternative diploma pathways for students.
By 2026, the average student-to-teacher ratio in Georgia was approximately 14:1, an improvement over the national average of 15:1.
| School Year | Total Enrollment | Total Asian students | % of Asian students |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-11 | 530 | 5 | 1% |
| 2011-12 | 558 | 5 | 1% |
| 2012-13 | 558 | 5 | 1% |
| 2013-14 | 545 | 5 | 1% |
| 2014-15 | 560 | 0 | 0% |
| 2015-16 | 564 | 5 | 1% |
| 2016-17 | 571 | 0 | 0% |
| 2017-18 | 796 | 7 | 1% |
| 2018-19 | 812 | 8 | 1% |
| 2019-20 | 861 | 8 | 1% |
| 2020-21 | 884 | 8 | 1% |
| 2021-22 | 936 | 9 | 1% |
| 2022-23 | 989 | 9 | 1% |
| 2023-24 | 1,001 | 10 | 1% |
| 2024-25 | 1,021 | 10 | 1% |
