Black students make up largest share of Brooks County schools student body in 2024-25

Black students were the largest ethnic group in Brooks County schools in the 2024-25 school year, according to the Georgia Department of Education.

Of the 2,076 students attending Brooks County schools, 50.8% were Black. White students were the second-largest ethnic group, making up 30.7% of enrollment.

In the previous school year, Black students were also the largest group in Brooks County, accounting for 50.4% of the total enrollment.

Quitman Elementary School had the most diverse student body in Brooks County, including Asian, Black, Hispanic, multiracial and white.

Total enrollment in Brooks County schools declined by 1.6% in the 2024-25 school year compared with the previous year.

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.