Candler County Education: 2,029 students were enrolled in 2023-24 school year

There were 2,029 students enrolled in Candler County schools in the 2023-24 school year, 1.1% less than the previous year, according to reports from the Georgia Department of Education.

Boys made up 51.1% of the county’s student body, while the other 48.9% were girls.

Data also showed that white students made up 47.4% of the student body, the largest percentage in Candler County schools, followed by African American students with 27.5%, 20.1% Hispanic students, 3.9% multiracial students and 0.3% Asian students.

Metter Elementary School stood out with the highest enrollment among Candler County’s four schools in the 2023-24 school year, welcoming 877 students.

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 multiracial.

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.