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RCPS 2017 Graduation Rate Continues to Climb, Tops State
Posted on 10/02/2017
Conyers, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Education released the four-year graduation rate for 2017. The State of Georgia average increased to 80.6 percent, up slightly from 79.2 percent. Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) continues to be above the state at 84 percent. This means that four out of every five students are graduating on time.  

“We are pleased to see that our graduation rate is not only increasing, but it is increasing at a faster rate than the state average,” says Superintendent Richard Autry. “While we want all of our students to graduate in four years, we recognize that many of our students need some additional time, such as summer school, an extra semester, or even extra year or more to earn their diploma.  We have not received our 2017 five-year graduation rate at this time; however, we do expect that will increase as well from the 2016 rate of 87.5 percent. This rate is calculated into the state accountability measurement as well. Ultimately, our goal is for 100 percent of our students to be successful in earning their diploma as a means for expanding their opportunities into higher education and/or the workforce. I appreciate the work of our administrators, faculty and staff to keep students focused and on-track for graduation. This is a Pre-K through 12th grade accomplishment in which every staff member in this district contributed and of which they should be proud.”

In its press release, the Georgia Department of Education explained the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate defines the cohort based on when a student first becomes a freshman. The rate is calculated using the number of students who graduate within four years and includes adjustments for student transfers. 

“It’s wonderful to see Georgia’s graduation rate continue to rise – and rise above 80 percent this year – because we’re not just talking about data points,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods says. “We’re talking about individual students who are moving on, ready and prepared, to their next phase of life. Georgia’s teachers, districts, and schools are personalizing education for each individual student, making sure those students are motivated and encouraged to stay in the classroom because they’re engaged in their learning, because they see how their education connects with their future goals.”  


RCPS FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATE AT-A-GLANCE

Heritage High School 
2016 Grad Rate: 81.5  
2017 Grad Rate: 85.3  

Rockdale County High School 
2016 Grad Rate: 85.1  
2017 Grad Rate: 84.6  

Salem High School
2016 Grad Rate: 84.6  
2017 Grad Rate: 84.0  

Rockdale County Public Schools (District) 
2016 Grad Rate: 84.0  
2017 Grad Rate: 84.6 

State of Georgia
2016 Grad Rate: 79.2  
2017 Grad Rate: 80.6  


RCPS FIVE-YEAR GRADUATION RATE AT-A-GLANCE

Heritage High School 
2016 Grad Rate: 86.7 
2017 Grad Rate: Not Yet Available. 

Rockdale County High School 
2016 Grad Rate: 91
2017 Grad Rate: Not Yet Available. 

Salem High School 
2016 Grad Rate: 86.5 
2017 Grad Rate: Not Yet Available. 

Rockdale County Public Schools (District) 
2016 Grad Rate: 87.5 
2017 Grad Rate: Not Yet Available. 


RCPS CLASS OF 2017 
1,086 Graduates  
$21.4 Million in Scholarship Offers  
Enlistment in all branches of U.S. Military 
Schools Attending Include: Stanford University, Brown University, Columbia University, Howard University, Emory University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, Vanderbilt University, Savannah College of Art and Design, University of Alabama, Georgia State University and many more.