EDUCATION
The Georgia High School graduation rates released last week by the Georgia Department of Education had good news for the state and even more good news for Jones County.
The Oct. 6 press release by State School Superintendent Richard Woods stated Georgia’s high school graduation rate increased in 2022, rising to 84.1 percent. That rate is an all-time high since Georgia began using the adjusted cohort calculation rate now required by federal law.
The release stated the state rate was up from 83.7 percent in 2021.
A total of 107 schools recorded a rate over 90 percent, and that includes Jones County. According to the information released by the state, Jones County High School’s 2022 graduation rate is 90.4 percent, which is more than a 3 percent increase from 2021.
Jones County High School had 397 students in the 2022 senior class, and 359 students graduated.
Jones County Board of Education Chairman Ginger Bailey was excited at the news. Bailey said the increase is the result of a team effort and is celebrated by Board of Education members.
“A big factor is the opportunities that our children have in our College and Career Academy. Our students have a reason to stay in school,” she said. “They can work toward earning college credit or work toward a career that will train them to be successful at something they choose to pursue.”
The chairman said students are able to participate in internships that help them to decide what they want to do after high school.
“When you give a child a purpose for what they are doing, it develops a mindset to continue their education and accomplish their goals,” she said.“Your Board of Education celebrates your dedication and sends a big thank you to all who work so hard to make this happen. It is truly great to be a Greyhound.”
School Superintendent Charles Lundy said the reason he believes Jones County’s graduation rates have been able to be what they have been the last few years is because students have been supported by all Jones County School System teachers.
“I think that Mr. (Lance) Rackley and all of the teachers at JCHS have done an excellent job identifying the students who might need additional support and they have provided that support, the motivation and the resources to ensure Success For All,” he said. “I think Mr. Rackley and the high school staff have implemented a Success For All approach in the academic initiatives they have implemented.
“It has been a longstanding philosophy in our school system that, from the time a student enters our pre-K program, we are beginning to prepare them for success in school and beyond. Our highest ever for Jones County’s graduation rate is evidence that the hard work of all our teachers is paying dividends for all our students.”
The Georgia Department of Education press release stated that the state’s graduation rate has increased by 14.4 percentage points since 2012.
Woods commended Georgia’s educators and the class of 2022.
“Teachers and students who persevered through the challenges of the last several years deserve credit for Georgia’s graduation rate increasing and other recent positive indicators, like Georgia students beating the SAT national average once again,” he said. “I am confident we will continue to see improvements as we expand opportunities for students and invest in the academic recovery of our state.”
Georgia calculates a four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate as required by federal law. This rate is the number of students who graduated in four years with a regular high school diploma divided by the number of students who form the adjusted cohort for the graduating class.
Jones County Schools Executive Director of Accountability and School Improvement, Clinton Burston, agreed the graduation rate increase is the result of teamwork.
“It’s truly a collaborative effort with all K-12 faculty staff, Board of Education members, central office personnel, parents and community stakeholders,” he said.“We are concentrating on all populations of students.”
