For the sixth consecutive year, Fulton County Schools broke its four-year graduation rate record with 93.44%. The Georgia Department of Education reported official figures for the Class of 2026 at the end of September.
The district’s graduation rate has jumped by 7.9 percentage points after dropping to 85.5% in 2020, according to Fulton County Schools’ announcement. Graduation rates in Fulton County had been on the rise before declining in 2020, known nationwide as the “pandemic slump,” but quickly recovered in 2021-22.
In other news, District 3 Board Member Katie Gregory, who represents parts of Sandy Springs and East Point, resigned from her seat, effective Sept. 18. The Fulton County Board of Education is inviting community members to submit their candidacy to fill the unexpired term, ending in January 2029.
Graduation rates climb in Fulton
With COVID-19 setbacks firmly in the rear-view mirror, Fulton is maintaining one of metro Atlanta’s highest graduation rates, well above state (88.5%) and national levels (~87%).
“I am so proud of the momentum behind our graduation rates and excited to see more than 9 out of 10 students across our entire district graduate on time,” School Board President Kristin McCabe said. “On behalf of the board, I can say we are energized and motivated to continue investing in our people and programs to [continue this].”
FCS Superintendent Mike Looney said the district leadership is proud of the hard work of our community of students and teachers to reach yet another milestone.
“Additionally, we couldn’t do this without the support of our families and business partners,” Looney said. “Our work never stops, though; we press on and are committed to helping raise up all our students and schools to reach their highest goals.”
Sandy Springs high schools
North Springs High School, along Roswell Road in north Sandy Springs, saw its graduation rate drop by 2.9 percentage points to 92%. Another four high schools in Fulton County saw graduation rates drop.
Riverwood International Charter School, the other public high school in Sandy Springs, posted a 0.2% increase to 97.3%. Riverwood has shown some of the strongest post-pandemic results, increasing from 89.9% in 2020, according to county-provided data.
Related stories:
• North Springs and Riverwood boast high graduation rates in Georgia
• Fulton Schools superintendent recommends 5.85% property tax hike
• Sandy Springs charter approved after county shuttered elementary school
Each of the last seven years, Cambridge, Chattahoochee, Johns Creek, Milton, and Northview high schools in North Fulton have maintained graduation rates above 95%.
This last May, Global Impact Academy in Fairburn achieved a perfect 100% graduation rate for the third consecutive year, while FCS Innovation Academy in Alpharetta remained above 98%.
