Grady County School District: White students were most represented ethnicity in 2023-24 school year

Of all the ethnicities represented in Grady County School District, the most prevalent among the county’s students in the 2023-24 school year was white, according to the Georgia Department of Education.

Among the 4,264 students attending Grady County schools, 37% were white. African American students were the second most common ethnicity, making up 30% of Grady County student body.

In the previous school year, white students were also the most common ethnicity in Grady County School District, representing 38% of the student body.

In the 2023-24 school year, the total number of students enrolled in school districts in the county increased by 1.9% when compared to the previous year.

Grady County School District, the only school district in the county, has a main office in Cairo.

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2024 reading report for Georgia 4th graders, the racial and ethnic composition of public school students was approximately 38% Black, 36% White, 17% Hispanic, 4% Asian, and 5% identifying as two or more races.

Chronic absenteeism remains a major issue in Georgia schools post-pandemic, with 20.7% of students missing 10% or more of school days in 2024, according to the Georgia Department of Education. In response, GaDOE launched a statewide initiative including a real-time attendance dashboard, a public awareness campaign, and targeted support for high-need districts to boost daily attendance.

In 2025, Georgia lawmakers passed a bill updating school attendance laws to ban expulsion solely for absenteeism. The law also adds new reporting requirements and aligns with programs that help students earn diplomas through alternative paths.

As of 2025, Georgia has an average student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 14:1, which is better than the national average of 15:1. The state’s best ratios are found in preschool, with an average of 13:1, and in elementary and middle school grades, both at 14:1, while high schools have a higher average ratio of 16:1.