African American students account for 72% of Riverdale High School enrollment in 2024-25

Riverdale High School reported enrolling 928 African American students for the 2024-25 school year, an increase of 2.4% compared to the prior year, according to the Georgia Department of Education.

Total enrollment at Riverdale High School reached 1,289 students in 2024-25. African American students represented 72% of the total population, remaining the largest demographic group at the school.

The school is part of the Clayton County School District, which is headquartered in Jonesboro.

Within Clayton County School District’s 65 schools, Lovejoy High School had the highest count of African American students in 2024-25, with 1,614 enrolled.

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that Georgia’s public school population comprised 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 students.

Chronic absenteeism continues to affect Georgia schools following the pandemic, with 20.7% of students missing 10% or more days in 2024, the Georgia Department of Education reported. To address the issue, GaDOE introduced a statewide strategy including a real-time attendance tracker, a public information campaign, and targeted assistance for higher-need school districts to promote consistent student attendance.

In 2025, Georgia enacted a law updating attendance policies to prohibit expulsion for absenteeism alone. The law also mandates new reporting protocols and coordinates with diploma programs that offer alternative completion routes for students.

By 2026, Georgia maintained an average student-to-teacher ratio of about 14:1, lower than the national average of 15:1.