Seven Asian students enrolled at Blakeney Elementary School for 2024-25, representing 1% of total students

The Georgia Department of Education reported that Blakeney Elementary School enrolled seven Asian students in the 2024-25 academic year.

Total enrollment at Blakeney Elementary School reached 719 students for the 2024-25 academic year. Asian students accounted for 1% of the student body, which made them the smallest demographic group at the school.

Blakeney Elementary is part of the Burke County School District, which is based in Waynesboro.

Of the five schools that comprise the Burke County School District, both Blakeney Elementary School and Waynesboro Primary School enrolled the largest number of Asian students during the 2024-25 academic year, with seven students each.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, students attending Georgia’s public schools were approximately 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.

Post-pandemic, chronic absenteeism continues to challenge Georgia schools, as 20.7% of students missed 10% or more school days in 2024, according to the Georgia Department of Education. In response, GaDOE introduced a statewide initiative, deploying a real-time attendance dashboard, launching a public awareness campaign, and providing extra assistance for districts with high absentee rates.

Georgia lawmakers updated attendance policies in 2025, passing a bill prohibiting student expulsion solely for excessive absences. The legislation requires new reporting from schools and supports alternative diploma programs.

By 2026, Georgia achieved an average student-to-teacher ratio of about 14:1, outperforming the national average of 15:1.