The district-wide graduation rate for the Dougherty County School System (DCSS) was higher than the state average for the 2018-2019 school year; marking the fourth straight year the DCSS graduation rate high surpassed the state average.

The Georgia Department of Education released the graduation rates statewide on Tuesday. According to the release, the DCSS district graduation rate for the 2018-2019 school year was 85.1%, higher than the state average of 82%. Individually, Dougherty Comprehensive High School finished with 85.5%, Monroe Comprehensive High School at 86.2% and Westover Comprehensive High School at 88.8%, marking the second year in a row that each of the DCSS high schools surpassed the state graduation rate. 

“Our students, teachers, and leaders are to be commended for the hard work and dedication they exhibit in our schools and classrooms every day,” Superintendent Kenneth Dyer said. “The graduation rate is just one of several indicators of the success we’re seeing in our classrooms. In addition to our graduation rate, we also saw nearly 70 students walk across the graduation stage with a college degree or technical certification thanks to the dual enrollment program.

Although we’re pleased with our progress, we are not satisfied. Our ultimate goal is for all DCSS students to graduate high school on time and equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to compete and succeed in a global economy.”