South Hall Middle School reports 705 Hispanic students for 2024-25 academic year

In the 2024-25 academic year, South Hall Middle School enrolled 705 Hispanic students, a decline of 2.8% compared to the prior year, reports the Georgia Department of Education.

The school’s total enrollment reached 953 students for the 2024-25 academic year. Hispanic students comprised 74% of the overall student body, making them the predominant group at the school.

South Hall Middle operates within the Hall County School District, which is headquartered in Gainesville.

Out of 35 schools in Hall County School District, Johnson High School registered the highest Hispanic student enrollment for 2024-25 with 1,040 students.

The National Center for Education Statistics indicates Georgia’s public school population was 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.

Reports from the Georgia Department of Education cite chronic absenteeism as a persistent challenge in Georgia schools following the pandemic, with 20.7% of students missing at least 10% of the days in 2024. In an effort to improve attendance, GaDOE has introduced new statewide actions that include a real-time dashboard, a public-awareness initiative, and additional support for high-need districts.

For 2025, Georgia enacted updated school attendance legislation banning expulsion based solely on absenteeism. This statute introduces further reporting obligations and aligns with initiatives benefitting students pursuing diplomas through alternative avenues.

Looking ahead to 2026, Georgia maintained an average student-to-teacher ratio near 14:1, a figure which compares favorably with the national average of 15:1.

Information for this story was gathered from the Georgia Department of Education. The original data can be accessed here.