During the 2024-25 school year, Gilbert Elementary School enrolled 12 African American students, marking a 29.4% decrease compared to the prior year, reports the Georgia Department of Education.
The 2024-25 data show a total enrollment of 427 at Gilbert Elementary School, with African American students accounting for 3% of the total population. This group remains among the smallest represented in the school.
Located in Walker County Schools, the school’s central office is in LaFayette.
Of all 15 schools in Walker County Schools, Ridgeland High School reported the highest number of African American students in 2024-25 with 104 enrolled.
Statewide, public school enrollment in Georgia included about 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, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Chronic absenteeism continues to be a significant challenge for Georgia schools following the pandemic, with 20.7% of students missing at least 10% of school days in 2024, according to the Georgia Department of Education. The statewide initiative launched by GaDOE incorporates a real-time attendance dashboard, awareness efforts, and targeted support to improve attendance in high-need districts.
Georgia legislators passed a law in 2025 updating school attendance policies, prohibiting expulsion for reasons of absenteeism alone and instituting additional reporting. The rules also connect to programs supporting alternative paths for students seeking diplomas. More information is available here.
By 2026, Georgia’s average student-to-teacher ratio was about 14:1, an improvement over the national average of 15:1.
| School Year | Total Enrollment | Total African American students | % of African American students |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-11 | 471 | 23 | 5% |
| 2011-12 | 462 | 18 | 4% |
| 2012-13 | 427 | 17 | 4% |
| 2013-14 | 434 | 13 | 3% |
| 2014-15 | 435 | 8 | 2% |
| 2015-16 | 457 | 13 | 3% |
| 2016-17 | 416 | 12 | 3% |
| 2017-18 | 458 | 18 | 4% |
| 2018-19 | 446 | 17 | 4% |
| 2019-20 | 451 | 18 | 4% |
| 2020-21 | 439 | 21 | 5% |
| 2021-22 | 463 | 27 | 6% |
| 2022-23 | 462 | 18 | 4% |
| 2023-24 | 449 | 17 | 4% |
| 2024-25 | 427 | 12 | 3% |
Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia Department of Education. The source data can be found here.
