High school graduation rates up across the area and statewide

Georgia's high school graduation rates increased for the fifth straight year, and here at home Richmond County graduation rates are up.

Hephzibah High School, Josey High School, Westside High School, and the Academy of Richmond County all had the highest graduation rates since 2004. Glenn Hills High School has their highest rate in five years.

In 2017, more than two-thirds of Richmond County high schools increased or maintained their graduation rates. Two-thirds of the graduation rate is above 80 percent. The systemwide rate of 79 percent is the highest in ten years.

Statewide, the graduation rate has increased from 79.4 percent in 2016 to 80.6 percent in 2017, meaning statewide more students are graduating high school. In addition, fifty Georgia school districts recorded graduation rates at or above 90 percent.

According to the Georgia Department of Education, the graduation rate continues to rise "as Georgia’s schools and districts increase students’ access to unique, personalized learning opportunities that keep students engaged – including Career Pathways, dual enrollment, AP and IB programs, work-based learning, and internships."

While all states use the same calculation, each state sets its own requirements for students to earn a regular high school diploma. Georgia has some of the highest requirements in the nation for students to graduate with a regular diploma.