According to the Georgia Department of Education, Michelle Obama STEM Elementary Academy saw enrollment of 814 African American students in the 2024-25 school year, representing an increase of 11.5% over the prior year.
Overall, the school’s enrollment totaled 993 students during 2024-25. African American students comprised 82% of the student population, making up the largest demographic group at the school.
The academy is situated within Clayton County School District, whose central office is in Jonesboro.
Of the 65 schools in Clayton County School District, Lovejoy High School reported the highest number of African American students for 2024-25, enrolling 1,614 students in that demographic group.
The National Center for Education Statistics reported that public school students across Georgia were roughly 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.
The Georgia Department of Education noted that chronic absenteeism persists as a significant issue with 20.7% of students missing at least 10% of school days in 2024. In response, GaDOE launched a statewide initiative that includes a real-time attendance dashboard, a public awareness campaign, and targeted support for high-need districts to improve daily attendance.
For 2025, Georgia lawmakers enacted a bill that prevents expulsion solely for absenteeism, mandates new reporting standards, and coordinates with programs offering alternative routes to earn a diploma.
By 2026, Georgia maintained an average student-to-teacher ratio of about 14:1, which is better than the national average of 15:1.
| School Year | Total Enrollment | Total African American students | % of African American students |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 715 | 550 | 77% |
| 2019-20 | 720 | 568 | 79% |
| 2020-21 | 688 | 536 | 78% |
| 2021-22 | 850 | 671 | 79% |
| 2022-23 | 973 | 788 | 81% |
| 2023-24 | 902 | 730 | 81% |
| 2024-25 | 993 | 814 | 82% |
