Education
Education

Walton and Harrison high schools lead Cobb 2015 graduation rate

The state Department of Education released high school graduation rates this morning, which show Georgia school systems made significant gains across the state. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
The state Department of Education released high school graduation rates this morning, which show Georgia school systems made significant gains across the state. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
By Ty Tagami
Nov 9, 2015

Walton and Harrison high schools in Cobb County led the school system in graduation rates, with 94.1 percent walking away with diplomas.

Come to myajc.com to begin following the school-by-school comparison as we sift the numbers that were released Monday morning.

It was a very good year for Georgia overall. The state’s high school students graduated at a significantly higher rate than their predecessors in 2015, producing a stunning increase in the state’s graduation rate, though tens of thousands are still failing to earn a diploma.

Nearly four out of five of the freshmen of 2011 graduated last spring, the Georgia Department of Education reported Monday.

The 78.7 percent graduation rate is 6.2 percentage points higher than the rate for the class of 2014. That is a large increase, considering that the 2014 rate was less than a fraction of a percentage point higher than the year before.

About the Author

Ty Tagami is a staff writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Since joining the newspaper in 2002, he has written about everything from hurricanes to homelessness. He has deep experience covering local government and education, and can often be found under the Gold Dome when lawmakers meet or in a school somewhere in the state.

Follow Ty Tagami on facebookFollow Ty Tagami on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Georgia teacher Michelle Mickens was urged to resign after making a Facebook post about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Now she's suing the Oglethorpe County School System for violating her First Amendment rights. (Ccourtesy Southern Poverty Law Center)

Credit: Contributed

Ga. teacher urged to resign after Charlie Kirk post is suing her employer

The high school English teacher says Oglethorpe County School System violated her First Amendment rights.

Georgia Tech prepares to limit spending as shutdown continues

Georgia Tech braces for spending slowdown as government shutdown continues.

City Schools of Decatur considers closing K‑2 school

Possible closure of City of Decatur elementary school draws opposition from parents.

The Latest

Georgia teacher Michelle Mickens was urged to resign after making a Facebook post about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Now she's suing the Oglethorpe County School System for violating her First Amendment rights. (Ccourtesy Southern Poverty Law Center)

Credit: Contributed

Ga. teacher urged to resign after Charlie Kirk post is suing her employer

Georgia Tech prepares to limit spending as shutdown continues

Georgia students still outpacing national average on ACT. See results by school.

Featured

A TSA officer checks the identification of travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Oct. 01, 2025 (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Hendren

Atlanta airport sees TSA staffing shortages amid shutdown

Hartsfield-Jackson recommends travelers allow extra time for security screening amid the government shutdown.

Geoff Duncan’s Democratic gamble in Georgia tests party loyalty

Former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan’s biggest challenge might not be money or organization, but trust. Once a Republican, he's now running as a Democrat.

Hulu tackles Murdaugh murders with big-budget series shot in Atlanta

Hulu’s “Murdaugh: Death in the Family,” shot in metro Atlanta, stars Jason Clarke and Patricia Arquette in a drama based on the downfall of a powerful South Carolina family.