Georgia Achieves Record High Public High School Graduation Rate
Georgia’s public high school graduation rate reached a remarkable milestone in 2023, hitting a record high of 84.4%. The state Department of Education made this announcement, highlighting the success of 84.4% of seniors graduating on time in the spring.
This achievement marks a slight increase from last year’s rate of 84.1%, and it stands as the highest rate since Georgia implemented calculations that require students to complete their high school education within four years, earning a regular high school diploma.
State Superintendent Richard Woods expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Every data point represents an actual student and new opportunities that have opened up for their future. I’m confident we’ll continue to see positive results as we invest in academic recovery and building a student-centered educational system.”
Improvement Over the Years
It’s worth noting that graduation rates have seen steady growth since 2012 when Georgia struggled with a rate of less than 70% of seniors graduating on time. In 2020, the national graduation rate reached 87%, marking an upward trend across the country.
Georgia has also made it easier for students to graduate by eliminating four end-of-course exams in 2020. Additionally, the state Board of Education recently voted to reduce the significance of remaining end-of-course exams in select subjects, thereby making graduation more accessible for students.
However, it’s essential to recognize that the state’s standardized test scores faced challenges during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and have yet to fully rebound.
Diverse Graduation Rates
The graduation rates in Georgia reflect a diverse landscape. Statewide, 94% of Asian and Pacific Islander students graduated on time, while 87.1% of white students, 82.5% of multiracial students, 83.7% of Black students, and 77.6% of Hispanic students achieved the same milestone. Georgia has historically maintained a narrow gap between Black and white graduation rates.
For students with disabilities, the graduation rate was 73.2%, while students learning English graduated at a rate of 66%.
Standout Performers and Challenges
In a breakdown of individual school systems, 39 systems and five charter schools reported graduation rates of 95% or higher. Notable mentions include the Calhoun city school system, the Statesboro STEAM Academy, and the Webster County school system, each boasting a 100% on-time graduation rate.
On the other end of the spectrum, six traditional school systems reported graduation rates below 80%, along with both of Georgia’s statewide online charter schools and state schools catering to blind and deaf children. The traditional school systems with the lowest graduation rates were Clarke County and Randolph County, each with a rate of 75.4%.
In addition, three charter schools aimed at high school dropouts and the school system serving state Department of Juvenile Justice detention facilities faced even lower graduation rates.
Georgia’s record-breaking graduation rate signifies progress, but it also highlights the diverse educational landscape within the state, with both successful and struggling school systems.