Why is George Washington High School hard for Maya in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings?

Whe Maya starts school at George Washington High, she finds herself one of a very small minority...... only one of three black students in the school. Fitting in is difficult, as is making friends. Maya, however, blossoms under the teaching of Miss Kirwin who is fair, caring, and color blind. Kirwin wants all of her students to leans and gives them all the opportunity to do so.