CCSD Graduation Rate Climbs To 87 Percent (ICYMI)

WOODSTOCK, GA — More students in the Cherokee County School District are graduating from high school. That's according to data released Wednesday by the Georgia Department of Education, which shows the system's graduation rate for the class of 2018 stood at 87.4 percent.

The 2018 figure is nothing to sneeze at, as the graduation rate for the class of 2017 was 86.5 percent. The rate also exceeds statewide average, topping the state’s 2018 rate of 81.6 percent. Georgia, along with the rest of the United States, calculates graduation rates based upon a four-year cohort methodology. CCSD has grown its graduation rate almost 15 percentage points since 2012.

“Setting a new high point for our graduation rate is great news for our school district and our community,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Hightower said. “While we celebrate the achievement of the class of 2018, we also take the opportunity to examine what we more we can do to assist students who need a little more time and support to earn their diploma, whether due to special needs, a medical issue or struggles at home.”

Dr. Hightower said several programs, including ACE Academy alternative day school, Polaris Evening School, online credit recovery courses, graduation coaching and the CHOICE special education program, have contributed to increasing rates. The district also implemented a new course extension program in high schools last year.

“Graduation is the celebration of our students’ lifetime of work so far, supported by their families, teachers and the entire school community,” Dr. Hightower said. “Together, we are ensuring that our ‘emerging generation’ is ready for future success."

Data provided by the Georgia Department of Education shows the graduation rates for the district and each of its six high schools, and can be viewed below:

Georgia's graduation rate also saw improvement, moving to 81.6 in 2018 from 80.6 in 2017. The state notes the 2018 number is the highest for Georgia since it began using an adjusted cohort calculation required by state law. Seventy-four Georgia school districts recorded 2018 graduation rates at or above 90 percent, it added.

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