Seventeen members of the Class of 2024 received their high school diplomas Sunday in a Summer Graduation Ceremony at the Albany Municipal Auditorium.

The graduates, who completed coursework during Summer Learning Sessions, represented all three Dougherty County School System (DCSS) high schools: Dougherty Comprehensive, Monroe Comprehensive and Westover Comprehensive High Schools.

DCSS Superintendent Kenneth Dyer, joined the respective principals and members of the Dougherty County Board of Education in presenting diplomas to the graduates.

“I’m very proud of these students for their commitment and resilience in earning their high school diplomas,” Dyer said. “Although faced with challenges and obstacles, they never gave up. It’s my sincere hope that they carry that same spirit of determination with them as they pursue their dreams beyond high school.”

The ceremony marked the culmination of these students’ K-12 academic careers.

Following Sunday’s ceremony, the 17 join 834 of their fellow classmates in the Class of 2024 to earn their diplomas from DCSS high schools.

The district believes that the Class of 2024 will continue a trend of climbing graduation rates that has resulted in the district average being above the state average three out of the last four years.

For 2023, The graduation rates for each DCSS high school were:

• Dougherty Comprehensive High School at 87.32%

• Monroe Comprehensive High School at 82.31%

• Westover Comprehensive High School at 93.25%

The most recent rates show a continuation of an upward trend for the district’s graduation rates going back to 2020. Dyer believes the trend is proof the district’s strategic priorities are working.