Gaines Elementary School enrolled 345 African American students in 2024-25

In the 2024-25 school year, Gaines Elementary School enrolled 345 African American students, reflecting a 4.5% increase from the prior year, per the Georgia Department of Education.

The school’s total student enrollment reached 508 for 2024-25. African American students accounted for 68% of the population, making them the predominant group on campus.

Located within the Clarke County School District, the school is part of a system with its central office based in Athens.

Out of the 21 schools operating in Clarke County School District, Clarke Central High School reported the largest number of African American students in 2024-25, enrolling 725.

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that Georgia’s public school students were made up of 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 is a persistent challenge in Georgia schools following the pandemic, with 20.7% of students missing 10% or more school days in 2024, according to the Georgia Department of Education. In response, the agency introduced a statewide initiative featuring a real-time attendance dashboard, public awareness efforts, and targeted support for at-risk districts to improve daily attendance.

In 2025, Georgia legislators approved changes to school attendance laws, prohibiting expulsions based solely on absenteeism. The updated law also includes additional reporting rules and expands options for students to earn diplomas through alternative means.

By 2026, Georgia achieved an average student-to-teacher ratio of roughly 14:1, an improvement compared to the national average of 15:1.