Cobb, Marietta Schools Exceed State Graduation Rate

COBB COUNTY, GA — The Cobb County School District and Marietta City Schools released graduation rates Thursday, and both districts exceeded the state average.

Cobb Schools' federally-calculated graduation rate for 2021 is 87.2 percent, while MCS' is 86.7 percent, the districts announced in separate news releases — outpacing the 2021 Georgia average of 83.7 percent. The federal calculation includes all students expected to graduate in 2021, including those enrolled for a single day.

"Following the challenges of the pandemic, I am especially proud of the work the staff has done to help our students reach the graduation stage. From the graduation rate to SAT and ACT, Cobb students continue to outperform their peers across Georgia," CCSD Board Chair Randy Scamihorn said. "This kind of across-the-board accomplishment only happens when the staff stays focused on teaching and learning and, starting with Superintendent [Chris] Ragsdale, that's exactly what they've done."

Harrison High School posted the highest graduation rate at 97.7 percent, closely followed by Pope High School at 97.2 percent. Lassiter and Walton high schools tied for third place with a 96.1 percent graduation rate.

Here's a breakdown of all the Cobb high schools' federally-calculated graduation rates in alphabetical order:

• Allatoona: 94 percent
• Campbell: 87.3 percent
• Cobb Horizon: 30.6 percent
• Harrison: 97.7 percent
• Hillgrove: 94.7 percent
• Kell: 88.9 percent
• Kennesaw Mountain: 91.3 percent
• Lassiter: 96.1 percent
• McEachern: 85.7 percent
• North Cobb: 91.1 percent
• Osborne: 69.3 percent
• Pebblebrook: 76.9 percent
• Pope: 97.2 percent
• South Cobb: 78.5 percent
• Sprayberry: 86.3 percent
• Walton: 96.1 percent
• Wheeler: 87.1 percent

"When examining the graduation rate for students enrolled for a minimum of two years in Cobb Schools, the graduation rate for the district is 92.3 percent," the district said in a news release. "The graduation rate climbs to 94.6 percent for students enrolled for three years in Cobb. Cobb's 16 traditional high schools all have graduation rates above 91 percent for students who attended all four years."

Marietta High School — the only high school in Marietta City Schools — had the 86.7 percent federally-calculated graduation rate.

“The continued increase in the graduation rate is a product of the tireless work and innovative programs we have put in place the last 3 years,” said Keith Ball, principal of Marietta High School. “Forty-eight out of 52 weeks a year, including nights and on Saturdays, our students can participate in an MHS academic program. We met the moment by meeting students where they are and getting them [graduation] stage ready. I am so proud of my teachers and support staff and so grateful for the support of our superintendent and school board.”