Washington-Wilkes Middle School records 129 African American students for 2024-25 enrollment

In the 2024-25 academic year, Washington-Wilkes Middle School enrolled 129 African American students, reflecting a 10.4% decrease compared with the prior year, data from the Georgia Department of Education shows.

Total student enrollment at Washington-Wilkes Middle School stood at 282 for 2024-25. African American students comprised the largest demographic group, accounting for 46% of the school’s population.

This school is part of the Wilkes County School District, which is headquartered in Washington.

Of the four schools in the Wilkes County School District, Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School had the highest number of African American students in the 2024-25 year, enrolling 190 students.

National Center for Education Statistics figures show Georgia’s public school student population is made up of 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.

Chronic absenteeism remains an ongoing concern in Georgia after the pandemic, with reports indicating 20.7% of students missed 10% or more school days in 2024, according to the Georgia Department of Education. In an effort to improve daily attendance, GaDOE has implemented a number of statewide initiatives, including a real-time attendance dashboard, a public awareness campaign, and increased targeted aid for districts with high absentee rates.

In 2025, Georgia lawmakers approved changes to school attendance policies that prohibit expulsion solely due to absenteeism. The measure also created additional reporting requirements and coordinated with alternative diploma programs to support student graduation efforts.

By 2026, Georgia’s average student-teacher ratio was about 14:1, surpassing the national average of 15:1.