Fayette’s 2018 high school graduation rate remains strong at 88.8 percent, with the school system posting the second highest rate in the metro Atlanta area for the third consecutive year.

Compared to all school systems in the state with at least 1,000 students in the 2018 graduation class, Fayette has the fourth highest graduation rate. The school system’s rate is well above the state percentage of 81.6

Whitewater High had just over a one and a half percent increase in its graduation rate, posting 93.9 percent compared to 92.3 percent in 2017. The school has the 17th highest graduation rate in the state compared to other high schools with graduation classes of 300 students or more.

Sandy Creek High also saw an increase in its graduation rate, nearly one percent, posting 83.6 percent compared to 82.7 percent in 2017. The school has the 83rd highest graduation rate compared to other high schools with graduation classes of 300 students or more.

Graduation rates at Fayette County High (81.4 percent), McIntosh High (91.7 percent), Starr’s Mill High (91.2 percent) decreased by 5.2 percent, one tenth of a percent, and 1.5 percent, respectively. When compared to other schools with graduation classes of 300 or more, Starr’s Mill High has the 27th highest graduation rate followed by McIntosh High at 31st  and Fayette County High at 95th.

Fayette’s overall graduation rate took a half percent dip from 2017 when it was 89.3 percent.

High school principals and county administrators are analyzing information from last year’s graduation class to see what supports are needed to help graduation rates increase across the county. 

Georgia calculates an adjusted cohort graduation rate as required by federal law. The four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate is the number of students who graduate in four years with a regular high school diploma divided by the number of students who form the adjusted cohort for the graduating class. From the beginning of ninth grade, students who are entering that grade for the first time form a cohort that is subsequently “adjusted” by adding any students who transfer into the cohort during the next three years, and subtracting any students who transfer out.

While all states use the same calculation, each state sets its own requirements for students to earn a regular high school diploma. Georgia has some of the highest requirements in the nation for students to graduate with a regular diploma.