Community News
High school graduation rates increase, Bleckley with highest rates in Middle Georgia.
By Dave Whitaker
Nov 10, 2020, 17:23

Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods announced today statewide graduation rates had increased from 82 percent in 2019 to 83 percent in 2020. He also noted 105 school districts and 230 schools recorded graduation rates at or above 90 percent, with 29 districts and 89 schools recording rates above 95 percent.

In Middle Georgia, Bleckley School District and BCHS led the way with both the highest graduation rates in the Heart of Georgia RESA service area but the Middle Georgia RESA service area as well. The district had a rate of 98.8 percent, Bleckley County High School’s rate was 95.8 percent.

Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith said in a release, “Once again our schools and district have shown that we do the most with the least, outperforming districts with vastly greater resources. Every graduate is a testament to the hard work of our students, outstanding teachers and administrators, parents, and community who nurtured, encouraged, and equipped these students with the tools needed to succeed at the next level. We can trace this success back to when the students were toddlers, and their parents read to them.

The process continued through our exceptional Pre-K program, primary school, elementary school, middle school, high school, and for some students, our alternative school. Every teacher, administrator, and support staff member contributed to each graduate’s success, and our board of education also contributed greatly by supporting decisions that put students first.”

The release also noted that while some districts transfer struggling students to schools outside their district, Bleckley doesn’t.

This first set of graphs shows Heart of Georgia RESA high school graduation rates and district graduation rates.

These next graphs show how Bleckley's graduation numbers compare against Middle Georgia RESA districts and high schools.