Two area school systems achieved record-high graduations in 2026.
The Richmond County School System (RCSS) reached a record-high graduation rate for the third consecutive year, with 84.2% of the Class of 2026 graduating within four years, according to data released Monday by the Georgia Department of Education, a news release from RCSS.
“We talk often about getting 1% better every day and making steady, measurable progress for our students,” said Malinda Cobb, superintendent of schools. “These improvements come from students who stayed focused on their goals and the teachers, counselors, administrators, staff and families who supported them along the way. I am proud of what we have accomplished, and I know there is still more work ahead of us.”
The graduation rate for students in the McDuffie County School System continues its decade-long upward climb, reaching yet another all-time high. The rate for the Class of 2026 rose to 95.9%, as measured by the College and Career Ready PerformanceIndex (CCRPI), an increase of 0.3% over the Class of 2025, according to a news release from the McDuffie County School System.
For the sixth consecutive year, the district has reached its highest graduation rate since the inception of the CCRPI accountability system in 2012. This marks an increase of nearly 30 percentage points in the last 12 years. McDuffie County also outpaced the 2026 state graduation rate of 88.5%, which was another all-time high.
“We are proud of our students and staff and all of the tremendous work they have invested into these annual increases,” said McDuffie County Superintendent of Schools Mychele Rhodes. “We are always glad to see this percentage rise, but to us it is more than a number. This means more of our students are leaving us ready to make a positive difference in the world.”
Seven Richmond County high schools increased their graduation rates from the previous year. T.W. Josey Comprehensive High School recorded the largest gain, increasing 9.82 percentage points to 75.88%, followed by Lucy C. Laney Comprehensive High School, up 7.34 points to 81.32%, and George P. Butler Comprehensive High School, up 4.95 points to 83.25%. Hephzibah Comprehensive High School reached 87.55%, marking its fourth consecutive year of historic gains. Glenn Hills, the Academy of Richmond County and Westside comprehensive high schools also recorded increases.
A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School, John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School and Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School each maintained a 100% graduation rate, surpassing the state average of 88.5%.
McDuffie County’s continuing growth in the district’s graduation rate is the result of a variety of student achievement focused strategies implemented from kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Those initiatives include small group reading and math instruction in elementary school; offering eighth grade students the option to take high school courses in academics, health and physical education, fine arts, and Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE); providing schedule flexibility in high school for dual enrollment and Advanced Placement courses; as well as a continued focus on CTAE career pathway offerings and work-based learning opportunities.
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