The Georgia Department of Education released the 2020 graduation rate numbers last week.  The numbers show that the state-wide graduation rate has not changed much overall.  WZQZ News spoke with both local school systems about the numbers locally.

Georgia’s high-school graduation rate did not change significantly from 2020 to 2021 – the 2021 rate is 83.7 %, compared to 83.8 % in 2020. Georgia’s graduation rate has increased by 14 percentage points since 2012.

Trion City Schools Supt. Dr. Phil Williams told WZQZ News, “We are excited at TCS about our 98.7% graduation rate. All teachers, para-pros, administrators, all other support staff, the Board of Education members, from pre-k to the 12 grade are to be commended. We also thank our parents and students for making education a priority in their home. Focusing on the needs of each student each and everyday is what we do at TCS. We will continue push our students and provide a rigorous and relevant education so each can become a useful, successful adult. Our goal is for 100% of our students to graduate, and we will do everything in our power to reach that goal.”

Chattooga County School Supt. Jared Hosmer said, “The Chattooga High School graduation rate was 79.6% for the 2020-2021 school year. While we are very disappointed in last year’s graduation rate, we are taking steps to diminish the factors we have identified as barriers to a higher graduation rate.”