Babb Middle School sees 273 African American students in 2024-25

Babb Middle School recorded an enrollment of 273 African American students for the 2024-25 school year, marking a 7.8% decrease compared to the prior year, according to data from the Georgia Department of Education.

In total, Babb Middle School enrolled 883 students in the 2024-25 school year. African American students accounted for 31% of the student population, making them the school’s second-largest demographic group.

The school operates within the Clayton County School District, whose central office is based in Jonesboro.

Across the district’s 65 schools, Lovejoy High School had the largest enrollment of African American students in the 2024-25 school year, totaling 1,614 students.

The National Center for Education Statistics reported that public school students in Georgia were composed of 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.

Chronic absenteeism continues to affect Georgia schools following the pandemic, with 20.7% of students missing 10% or more of school days in 2024, the Georgia Department of Education found. The agency launched a statewide effort with a real-time attendance dashboard, public information campaign, and extra support for high-need districts to encourage consistent attendance.

In 2025, Georgia legislators enacted new attendance laws prohibiting expulsion solely for absenteeism. The updated law requires additional reporting and coordinates with programs that offer students alternative paths to earning a diploma.

By 2026, Georgia’s average student-teacher ratio was around 14:1, an improvement over the national average of 15:1.