The DeKalb County School District had a 75.41% graduation rate for 2021, with local schools coming in above and below that average, according to data released by the Georgia Department of Education. 

The school district’s graduation rate represents a slight decrease from last year, when the graduation rate was 75.97%. Chamblee High School and Cross Keys High School both experienced rising graduation rates, according to a press release. 

Brookhaven’s Cross Keys High School, which has 439 students, had a graduation rate of 62.4% this year, which represents a 1.17% increase from last year. Chamblee High School, which has 396 students, had a graduation rate of 86.1%, representing an 8.55% increase. 

The district’s graduation rate falls below the state average for 2021, which is 83.7%, according to the Georgia Department of Education. Out of the state’s 181 school districts, 102 recorded graduation rates at or above 90%. The DeKalb County School District’s graduation rate is lower than both Atlanta Public Schools and Fulton County Schools, which had 2021 rates of 83.1% and 87.7% respectively. 

“Under normal circumstances, increasing a school graduation rate is not an easy feat,” said Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris in a press release. “In light of the pandemic and the continued remote learning environment, we applaud our students, families, teachers and school administrators for their efforts.” 

Sammie Purcell is Associate Editor at Rough Draft Atlanta.