With the state of Georgia experiencing an overall historic increase in graduation rates for 2023, the McDuffie County School System, Columbia County School District and Richmond County School System have also recently reported a rise in graduation estimates.
According to a report from the Georgia Department of Education, the state’s four-year graduation rates rose to 84.4% in 2022 – a recorded all-time high.
Richmond County’s class of 2023 graduation rates show a 6.34% increase to 78% from last year’s 71.66%. A press release from the school system stated the new rate is one of the highest in the past 20 years and the first increase since 2020.
“This is excellent news and the result of dedication and commitment from our school-based leaders, our curriculum and instruction staff, parents and students. Everyone played a vital role in achieving the goal I set for our overall school system graduation rate last year,” said Kenneth Bradshaw, Superintendent of Schools for Richmond County. “While we are proud of this accomplishment, we have much work to do so more of our students are graduating and equipped for life after high school.”
Meanwhile, A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School, John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School, and the Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School continue to maintain a 100% graduation rate.
The graduation rate for the Academy of Richmond County was 85.6%, also above the state’s rate of 84.1%. While Glenn Hills Comprehensive High School saw the most significant improvement with a 10.7% increase compared to 2022.
“Nearly all Richmond County high schools maintained or saw an increase in their Class of 2023 rate,” stated the press release.
Meanwhile, Columbia County School District continues to see success with more than 92.1% of high school students from the Class of 2023 earning their high school diplomas, according to a press release from the county.
This is not only a 1.7% increase from 2022, but is also seven percentage points higher than the state average.
“As we celebrate this outstanding accomplishment, we will continue to set the bar high with the expectation that 100% of students in the Columbia County School District graduate with their high school diplomas, and that all are successfully prepared for the future,” said Steven Flynt, superintendent for Columbia County schools.
Individual high school graduation rates included: Evans High at 92.9%, Greenbrier High at 96.6%, Grovetown High at 89.5%, Harlem High at 87.6% and Lakeside High at 93.4%.
“Congratulations to the class of 2023, and a special thanks to the parents of these graduates and for the hard work and dedication of our employees across all levels who have supported and encouraged them along the way,” said Flynt.
McDuffie County School District’s graduation rates are also steadily rising with 2023’s senior class resulting in a 87.7% graduation rate — a 1.9% increase over the class of 2022.
“This is the highest rate the district has seen since the inception of the College and Career Ready Performance Index accountability system in 2012,” stated a press release from the McDuffie School District. “It also outpaced the state rate of 84.4%, another all-time high.”
The district press release attributed the rising percentage of students completing high school to the impact of several district-wide initiatives designed to increase student achievement. Such initiatives include taking high schools courses in middle school and obtaining college credit in high school with advanced placement courses.
“This continued increase represents the hard work of our incredible staff, not just at the high school level, but from the elementary and middle schools as well,” said Mychele Rhodes, the McDuffie County Superintendent of Schools.
According to the press release, the district also continues to expand its Career, Technical and Agriculture Education career pathway offerings, allowing for student growth and success on a more personal level.
“Many of the initiatives we have implemented are making a real difference in our students’ lives,” said Rhodes. “Identifying the needs of our students and meeting them where they are is of utmost importance to their success.”
The school district additionally stated the Jumpstart Apprenticeship Program also allows students to experience work-based learning opportunities through the community, “helping build the future workforce of McDuffie County.”
“We are proud to produce students ready to make an impact on our local workforce or ready to take on their next academic challenge in college or technical school,” said Rhodes.
The release also stated how several subgroups also experienced a substantial increase in graduation rates.
“The subgroups with the largest gains are black and economically disadvantaged students, both seeing an increase of 1.9%, compared to 2022,” the press release concluded.
