Pierce County’s four-year graduation rate is 93.9%, up four tenths of a percent over last year.
Pierce County’s graduation rate was well above the state average of 84.1%, but ranked fourth of the nine counties of the Okefenokee Regional Educational Services Agency (RESA)
The graduation rate data was released last week by the Georgia Department of Education.
Pierce was one of 107 districts statewide to have a 90 percent or above graduation rate.
Local school officials say they are very proud Pierce County’s graduation rate improved even in the midst of the pandemic.
“I am proud that our graduation rate is improving. The class of 2022 was in 10th grade when the COVID pandemic severely impacted school operations. The staff at PCHS are to commended for their efforts to ensure everyone graduates,” said School Superintendent Dara Bennett.
Pierce County High School Principal Kelly Murray said the increase in the graduation rate is a team effort.
“I’m very pleased to see our graduation rate increase for the second consecutive year and remain well above both the RESA and State averages. Our counselors and other staff are working hard every day to ensure that each individual student has the support needed to be successful,” said Murray.
“Teachers and students who persevered through the challenges of the last several years deserve credit for Georgia’s graduation rate increasing and other recent positive indicators, like Georgia students beating the SAT national average once again,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “I commend Georgia’s educators and the class of 2022, and am confident we will continue to see improvements as we expand opportunities for students and invest in the academic recovery of our state.”
Charlton County led the RESA with a graduation rate of 97.1 percent. Atkinson County was second with 95.7. Camden was third with 94.3. Pierce was in fourth by four tenths of a point.
Clinch County was the lowest in the area with an 85.
High school graduation rates have risen steadily during the past decade. This year’s rate marked an increase of 14.9% over the class of 2012.
