Paul J. Blackwell Learning Center

Paul J. Blackwell Learning Center, a micro-enrollment elementary-level community in Elberton, Georgia, overseen by Elbert County, works with 161 students, covering grade pre-K. Compared to the state average of about 605 students per school, that is 73% smaller than typical.

Within Elbert County, which oversees 5 schools and 3,007 students, Paul J. Blackwell Learning Center is one campus in the system.

In terms of who attends, Paul J. Blackwell Learning Center shows that the most-represented group is Black (42%), with the rest of the student body spread across multiple groups. Beyond that, the school reports 37% White, 12% Hispanic, 8% multiracial. The wider county runs roughly 22% Black, putting the school's mix meaningfully more Black than the area baseline.

Looking at the economic backdrop, On paper, Paul J. Blackwell Learning Center has 10 full-time-equivalent teachers, translating to a class-load average of around 16.1:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 13.3:1, putting Paul J. Blackwell Learning Center higher than the state norm the norm. About 100% of enrolled students meet the income threshold for free or reduced-price lunch, often used as a Title I proxy.

Zooming out to the county, census data for Elbert County shows the typical household earns roughly $58,450 per year, roughly 16% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate sits near 10%. Across Elbert County's 5 public schools (combined enrollment of about 3,007 students), Paul J. Blackwell Learning Center is one campus in the mix.

Nearest neighbor: Elbert County Primary School, around 1.2 miles off. 4 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius.

Geographically, the school is in a town-center area.

Looking at the recent track record. Over the past 7-year window, the student count shrank 6%: 172 students in 2018 compared to 161 in 2025. The Black share of enrollment decreased from 47% to 42% over that span.

In the discussion threads here, recent activity here tends to focus on science fair prep, picture-day reminders, and bus-route questions. Anyone with firsthand experience at this school can post or comment.