Atlanta Celebrates a Leap in Graduation Rates for Class of 2024

Celebratory Graduation Caps

Atlanta Celebrates a Leap in Graduation Rates for Class of 2024

Here in Atlanta, there’s a wave of excitement as the Georgia Department of Labor announced something truly remarkable: the state’s high school seniors have smashed records with a historic-high graduation rate! Can you believe it? The class of 2024 has brought the four-year graduation rate up to 85.4%, which is a jump from 84.4% in 2023. This incredible achievement marks the highest rate we’ve seen since Georgia began tracking graduation data in this way back in 2011.

A Closer Look at the Numbers

What’s more inspiring is that out of all the school districts in Georgia, a whopping 115 of them achieved graduation rates of 90% or higher, and a stunning 44 districts reached at least 95%. If we take a step back and look at the trends, Georgia’s graduation rate has risen by an astounding 18 percentage points since 2011, when the rate was only 67.4%.

Words From The Superintendent

State School Superintendent Richard Woods had some heartfelt words for the graduating class: “I offer my congratulations to Georgia’s class of 2024 on this historic achievement. These students faced great challenges throughout their school careers – they were in middle school when the pandemic hit in 2020.” His pride shines through as he emphasizes the hard work of students, educators, and families who have been dedicated to making success happen despite challenges.

How They Made It Work

The gains in graduation rates didn’t happen by magic – they required a ton of effort from schools, families, and the state. The Georgia Department of Education has partnered with local districts and schools to create supportive environments. This includes expanding Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education programs, which help students get a jumpstart on their careers after high school. Plus, initiatives like the GaTutor program are providing free tutoring support from certified Georgia teachers to those who need it most.

One of the standout factors this year is the robust efforts put into locating students who may have disengaged from their studies, ensuring that every student has a chance to succeed. And it seems these initiatives are paying off, as the class of 2024 has not just excelled in graduation rates but also beat the national average on the SAT and showed substantial improvement on the Georgia Milestones assessments.

Understanding the Graduation Rate

But how exactly does Georgia define its graduation rate? It’s calculated using a four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate, which is a bit of a mouthful! This essentially means that students starting ninth grade form a cohort—that’s their group—and any adjustments are made for students who transfer in or out over the following years.

Looking Back: Graduation Rates Over the Years

Here’s a quick glance at how Georgia’s graduation rates have evolved from 2011 to 2024:

2024: 85.4%
2023: 84.4%
2022: 84.1%
2021: 83.7%
2020: 83.8%
2019: 82.0%
2018: 81.6%
2017: 80.6%
2016: 79.4%
2015: 79.0%
2014: 72.6%
2013: 71.8%
2012: 69.7%
2011: 67.4%

In Conclusion

As we celebrate this milestone, it’s clear that dedication, community support, and innovative educational programs play a vital role in shaping the future of our students. So here’s to the class of 2024 – may they continue to shine bright and inspire future generations!