Following an uptick in graduation rates across the state, the Hall County School District and Gainesville City School System reported record-high graduation rates for the 2019-20 school year.
The Georgia Department of Education reported Tuesday that 83.8 percent of seniors across the state graduated on time this spring, compared to 82 percent in 2019. Graduation rates in the state have increased annually since 2012, when just 70 percent of Georgia seniors were graduating on time.
The Hall County School District exceeded the statewide average this year, reporting a record-high graduation rate of 88.9 percent. The district also saw a record number of graduates in 2020, going from 1,762 graduates in 2019 to 1,936.
“The increase we have witnessed in our graduation rates over the past five years is a testament to the hard work and sacrifice of our team members and students—and it’s a K-12, classified and certified, team effort,” said Superintendent Will Schofield in a statement Wednesday. “We are committed to preparing our students for the opportunities that await them after high school, whether that be post-secondary study, military or immediate entry into the workforce. These numbers are a reflection of our district and board’s focus on our balanced scorecard and our belief in rigor for all students.”
The Gainesville City School System surpassed the state average as well, reporting a graduation rate of 86.1 percent for 2020 compared to 81.02 percent in 2019. The increased graduation rates occurred despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced schools across the nation to close in March and switch to online learning.
“Each of the [approximately] 500 graduates of the Class of 2020 who earned the coveted GHS diploma did so during the most difficult and unprecedented of circumstances. Because of their individual talents and the support of the entire community, they were able to finish strong and prepare for the next phase of their lives,” said Jamie Green, GHS Principal.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2020/11/955655/hall-county-and-gainesville-city-schools-follow-statewide-trend-of-higher-graduation-rates