Howard Middle School’s white student enrollment rises to 117 for 2024-25

Howard Middle School admitted 117 white students for the 2024-25 school year, reflecting a 9.3% increase from the prior year, reports the Georgia Department of Education.

According to data, Howard Middle School had a total student enrollment of 975 during the 2024-25 school year. White students accounted for 12% of the school population, ranking as the second-largest demographic group on campus.

The school operates under the Bibb County School District, which is headquartered in Macon.

Out of Bibb County School District’s 34 schools, Rutland High School had the largest number of enrolled white students in the 2024-25 school year, totaling 211.

Statewide, Georgia public schools enrolled more than 1.7 million students, according to the Georgia Department of Education’s Fiscal Year 2026-1 report. Most students, 787,206 (45.9%), attended elementary school, followed by 388,733 (22.7%) in middle school, and 539,092 (31.4%) in high school.

Chronic absenteeism continues to be a significant challenge for Georgia schools after the pandemic, with 20.7% of students missing at least 10% of school days in 2024, according to Georgia Department of Education data. To address this, the Georgia Department of Education initiated a statewide effort that includes a real-time attendance dashboard, public awareness campaigns, and targeted assistance for high-need districts to improve student attendance.

In 2025, state legislators approved changes to school attendance laws prohibiting expulsion solely for absenteeism. The new law also introduces additional reporting requirements and aligns with programs offering alternative means for students to earn diplomas.

By 2026, Georgia’s student-to-teacher ratio averaged about 14:1, slightly better than the national average of 15:1.

Note: Due to potential gaps in the available data, reported percentages may not total exactly 100%.