Waldo Pafford Elementary School sees 441 African American students enrolled for 2024-25

In the 2024-25 school year, Waldo Pafford Elementary School had 441 African American students enrolled, which marks a 7.5% decrease compared with the prior year, as reported by the Georgia Department of Education.

The school’s total enrollment reached 735 students during 2024-25. African American students represented 60% of the student body, making them the largest demographic group at the school.

Waldo Pafford Elementary is part of the Liberty County School District, which operates out of Hinesville.

Of the 12 schools in the Liberty County School District, Bradwell Institute reported enrolling the most African American students for the 2024-25 school year with 1,101 students.

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that among Georgia’s public school students, the racial and ethnic mix includes 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, Georgia continues to struggle with chronic absenteeism, as 20.7% of students missed at least 10% of school days in 2024, the Georgia Department of Education says. The department responded with efforts such as a real-time attendance dashboard, a public awareness campaign, and enhanced support for districts with high needs to promote higher attendance. See details at GaDOE.

Georgia lawmakers amended school attendance policies in 2025, passing a bill that bars expulsion for absenteeism alone and adding new rules for tracking attendance. The updated legislation also provides alternative pathways for students to complete their diploma requirements. Read more at Georgia General Assembly.

By 2026, Georgia’s average student-to-teacher ratio reached about 14:1, which compares favorably to the national average of 15:1.