Sweetwater Middle School reports 215 African American students for 2024-25

In the 2024-25 school year, Sweetwater Middle School enrolled 215 African American students, a 19.2% decrease from the prior year, reports the Georgia Department of Education.

Total enrollment at Sweetwater Middle School for 2024-25 was 1,436 students. African American students accounted for 15% of those enrolled, making them the second-largest demographic group at the school.

Sweetwater Middle School is part of Gwinnett County School District, which has its main office in Lawrenceville.

Of the 140 schools in the district, Grayson High School had the highest number of African American students during the 2024-25 school year, totaling 2,089.

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that Black students made up about 36.4% of all public school students in Georgia. The remainder included 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 challenge Georgia schools after the pandemic, with 20.7% of students missing at least 10% of school days in 2024, according to the Georgia Department of Education. To address this, the agency launched a statewide effort that includes a real-time attendance dashboard, a public information campaign, and targeted support for districts most in need.

Georgia lawmakers approved legislation in 2025 revising school attendance requirements and prohibiting expulsion solely for absenteeism. The new law introduces reporting mandates and expands options for earning diplomas through alternative education programs.

By 2026, Georgia’s average student-to-teacher ratio stood at roughly 14:1, lower than the national average of 15:1.