Malcom Bridge Elementary reports 23 African American students enrolled for 2024-25

In the 2024-25 school year, Malcom Bridge Elementary School enrolled 23 African American students, a 35.3% increase compared with the prior year, according to reports from the Georgia Department of Education.

Out of 581 students enrolled at Malcom Bridge Elementary School for the 2024-25 year, African American students represented 4% of the total, standing as the smallest demographic in the student population.

The campus is part of Oconee County School District, headquartered in Watkinsville.

Of the 11 schools in the Oconee County School District, Oconee County High School reported the largest African American student enrollment for the 2024-25 year, with 51 students.

Based on data from the National Center for Education Statistics, public school student enrollment 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 continues to be a significant concern in Georgia schools following the pandemic, with 20.7% of students missing at least 10% of school days in 2024, the Georgia Department of Education reports. Efforts to address the issue include a real-time attendance dashboard, statewide awareness programs, and targeted support for districts in need, as part of a GaDOE initiative aimed at improving daily attendance.

In 2025, Georgia lawmakers updated school attendance policies to prohibit expulsion based solely on absenteeism. The revised legislation includes additional reporting rules and aligns with alternative diploma-earning pathways for students.

By 2026, Georgia’s average student-to-teacher ratio was about 14:1, which is below the national average of 15:1.