Of the 1,696,474 students enrolled in Georgia schools during the 2024-25 school year, around 36%, or 610,731 students, were Black, according to the Georgia Department of Education.
This marks a 0.2% decrease from 611,888 Black students enrolled the previous year.
Black students were the largest racial group in Georgia schools, representing 36% of the student body.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the racial and ethnic composition of public school students in Georgia was approximately 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.
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 2026, Georgia had an average student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 14:1, which is better than the national average of 15:1.
| Year | Total Enrollment | No. of Black Students | Black Students % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 1,702,352 | 612,847 | 36% |
| 2023-24 | 1,699,690 | 611,888 | 36% |
| 2024-25 | 1,696,474 | 610,730 | 36% |
Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia Department of Education. The source data can be found here.
