GA Shatters Graduation Rate With Nearly 2% Gain

Once again, Georgia has shattered its high-school graduation rate.

A record-breaking 87.2 percent of seniors graduated this year, up by 1.8 percent from last year, the Georgia Department of Education announced Monday.

“I am so proud of Georgia’s class of 2025 and the teachers, staff and families who supported them,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said in a news release.“Seeing this increase in a single year is a strong indicator of the work Georgia’s schools and districts are doing to keep students engaged in their education and prepare them for successful lives after high school. While more work remains to be done, more Georgia students are graduating than ever before – and they’re doing so prepared to pursue futures full of opportunity.”

The graduation rate in the Peach State continues to improve each year, skyrocketing from 67.4 percent in 2011.

In computing the rate, state school officials said they divide the number of students who graduate in four years with a regular high school diploma by the number of students who form the adjusted cohort for the graduating class.

An adjusted cohort is created when students enter the ninth grade and is altered as they transfer in and out of the graduating class.

Of the nearly 200 public school districts in Georgia, the Education Department noted 134 of them had graduation rates of at least 90 percent this year; and of those, 60 districts had rates of at least 95 percent.

What Made The Difference

Some school districts took measures to ensure students graduated, the Education Department said.

At Skyview High School in Fulton County, where students are paired with teachers one-on-one to set weekly goals, there was an 8.4 percent uptick in graduating seniors. Overall, 91.9 percent of students graduated in Fulton.

The Clayton County School District focused on college and career readiness among other initiatives, while officials with Douglas County Schools centered themselves on intervening with students considered to be at risk.

The graduation rates for both systems improved to 86.3 percent and 90.7 percent respectively, the Education Department said.

Pickens County Schools ensured students had postsecondary plans by hosting signing days for seniors entering college, the workforce or military service, the Education Department said.

More than 95 percent of Pickens seniors graduated this year, the Education Department said.

Here's A Snapshot Of Local Numbers

Gwinnett County Public Schools, Georgia's largest school district, improved its rate from 84.1 percent last year to 85.4 percent this year. GCPS graduated 13,604 students in May.

According to the school system, all of Gwinnett County's public high schools saw rates of more than 80 percent, and 12 of them had rates of least 90 percent. Sixteen schools bettered their rates from last year.

“This achievement shows the dedication of our students, families, teachers, staff and principals who worked together to reach this important milestone," GCPS Interim Superintendent Dr. Al Taylor said in a news release published Monday. "While we celebrate, we also know there is more to do, and we remain committed to helping every student succeed through graduation and beyond.”

Cobb County Schools outpaced the state's average, breaking its own record in graduating 89.2 percent of its class in May. Cobb is Georgia's second-most sizable school system and the nation's 23rd largest.

Notable rates in Cobb included: Pope High School, Marietta (98.2 percent), Walton High School, Marietta (97.2 percent), Harrison High School, Kennesaw (97.8 percent) and Lassiter High School, Marietta (97.3 percent).

Allatoona, Hillgrove, Kennesaw Mountain, McEachern and North Cobb high schools all surpassed 90 percent.

"Our record-high graduation rate of 89.2% is something the whole community can celebrate," Cobb County Board Chair David Chastain said in a news release. "It shows what's possible when students work hard, teachers pour their hearts out and families and staff stand together to support them. From big gains at South Cobb to steady excellence at schools like Pope, Walton, Harrison and Lassiter—this is what happens when we stand as one team and all invest in student success."

The Cherokee County School District also outperformed the state average this year, attaining graduation rates of more than 95 percent at three schools, school officials said in a news release on Monday.

The local district operates six public high schools and a virtual academy. Overall, the average rate in Cherokee was 91.8 percent.

“Our mission is to be the highest performing school district in Georgia, and key to that success in seeing every student graduate future ready, whether their next chapter is college, career, military service or more than one of these options," Cherokee County School Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis said in the release. "Thank you to our community for your continued support as we elevate the excellence in our school district together.”

In DeKalb, the county school district reported Lithonia and Cross Keys high schools were among 18 of the district's 23 high schools to see a boost. Elizabeth Andrews High School in Stone Mountain bested its peers with a 28.8 percent raise, school officials said.

DeKalb Early College Academy, Arabia Mountain High School, DeKalb School of the Arts and Tapestry Public Charter all reached 100 percent, graduating every member of their class, school officials said. DeKalb public high schools received an overall 81.4 percent graduation rate, the most significant in at least a decade.

“These results prove what’s possible when we stay focused on every student, every day,” DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Dr. Devon Q. Horton said in a news release. “DCSD students are achieving at historic levels, and we are just getting started. Looking at a two-year view, our graduation rate has increased 5.6 points since 2023, placing our district in the 84th percentile statewide. This indicates that our improvement is not just a one-year gain but a sustained upward trend that positions DCSD among the top-performing districts for graduation rate growth. This is a strong indicator that our organizational structure, Operation Graduation Plan, strategies for credit recovery and student engagement are moving us to ‘New Levels, New Heights’.”

Three Paulding County schools - North Paulding, Paulding County and South Paulding high schools - broke their own records. Four of the five local schools transcended the state average.

The county graduation rate of 91.6 percent was the fourth-highest of areas in or surrounding metro Atlanta, Paulding school officials said.

"I am extremely proud to see our students reach the highest graduation rate in our district's history," Paulding County Schools Superintendent Steve Barnette said in a news release. "Our vision is to ensure all students are prepared for success today and tomorrow, and our job is to make sure those students meet the requirements and earn the credits needed to graduate on time. The students deserve a great deal of credit, as do the teachers and administrators who have worked tirelessly to support them."

The 95.4 percent elevation for the Bartow County School System included a leading 99 percent increase at Adairsville High School, officials said.

Cass and Woodland high schools both graduated 93.1 and 95.1 percent of their classes respectively, school officials said.

“To say we have made significant progress would be an understatement,” Bartow County School System Superintendent Clint Terza said in a news release. “Seven years ago, our graduation rate stood at 87.1 percent. Today, we are proud to have reached historic heights. Graduation rates are a critical measure of our system’s performance, and this achievement reflects our sustained commitment to excellence. By investing in exceptional educators, expanding student-centered programs, and creating meaningful learning experiences, we have cultivated an environment where students are motivated to succeed. The results speak for themselves.”

Alliance Academy for Innovation was the sole school in Forsyth County to graduate 100 percent of its students, school officials said.

The academy was closely followed by Denmark, East Forsyth and Forsyth Central high schools.

“All Forsyth County high schools achieved incredible results that were well above the state
graduation rate of 87 percent,” Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Dr. Mitch Young said in a news release. “A big congratulations to our K–12 teachers and staff for the incredible support they provide students throughout their educational journey and thank you to our students and families for their commitment to academic success. I am so proud of the Class of 2025 and the educators, staff and families who helped them reach this milestone.”

Here are Georgia's graduation rates from 2011-25:

2025 – 87.2 percent
2024 – 85.4 percent
2023 – 84.4 percent
2022 – 84.1 percent
2021 – 83.7 percent
2020 – 83.8 percent
2019 – 82.0 percent
2018 – 81.6 percent
2017 – 80.6 percent
2016 – 79.4 percent
2015 – 79.0 percent
2014 – 72.6 percent
2013 – 71.8 percent
2012 – 68.7 percent
2011 – 67.4 percent

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