The average graduation rate of the four DCSS high schools lifted the system above the state average, according to the Georgia Department of Education.

Albany High School, Monroe Comprehensive High School and Westover Comprehensive High School each had a graduation rate above the state average. Dougherty Comprehensive High came in at just five points from making the list.

Albany High made the largest gain, jumping more than 5.5 points and topping out at 84.6%. Dougherty High also saw its graduation rate improve by 1.4 points to 72.3%. Monroe had the third highest total at 82.5% and Westover topped the list at 86.4%.

This marks the fourth straight year the graduation rate has improved system-wide.

“We’re certainly proud of the work that our high school teachers and students have been doing, especially at Albany High and Dougherty, where teachers and students continue to find success,” Dr. Ufot Inyang, associate superintendent of Academic Services, said. “That being said, we still are focused on making sure every student that comes through the Dougherty County School System graduates on time and ready for the next level, so we will continue pushing and working with our administrators, teachers and students to give them every opportunity to succeed.”

The increasing rate is thought to be due, in part, by the growing number of DCSS students who are enrolling in Move-on-When-Ready courses with our collegiate partners and a renewed collaboration between high school principals and teachers.