Graduation Rates Increase at Cherokee, Creekview High Schools

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The Cherokee County School District’s four-year graduation rate increased for the class of 2015 and continues to exceed state averages.

That’s according to the district, which said in a press release that its rate for 2015 was 86 percent, up from 82 percent in 2014.

Those figures make the Cherokee County School District the third-highest ranked metro Atlanta county school system, according to data released Monday by the Georgia Department of Education.

The local rate also exceeds Georgia’s four-year rate of 79 percent.

In addition to the overall graduation rate increasing by four points, each of the district’s high schools saw gains:

• Cherokee High School up to 77 from 72 percent;
• Creekview High School up to 91 from 89 percent;
• Etowah High School up to 89.5 from 83 percent;
• River Ridge High School up to 92 from 91 percent;
• Sequoyah High School up to 89 from 87 percent; and
• Woodstock High School up to 83 from 81 percent.

“While we are proud of this improvement, we also remain committed to the students not included in this total, as it’s important to note that the inverse of these rates is not a ‘dropout’ rate,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo said.

This is the fifth year the Georgia DOE has used a more challenging cohort formula, which does not include students who take more than four years to graduate.

“Many of our most challenged students are not counted in this total, such as those delayed by serious illness or the need to work to support their family, those pursuing a GED and those who earn a special education diploma,” Petruzielo added.

The increase in the district and individual school graduation rates shows further evidence as to why the school system’s local programs are vital to ensuring on-time graduation, Petruzielo said. These programs include, but are not limited to: ACE Academy, Polaris Evening School, online C3 Academy and credit recovery courses, the district-wide Graduation Coach initiative and the CHOICES special education program, which has expanded to a second high school this school year, with plans for further expansion next semester.

If Gov. Nathan Deal and state legislators agreed to provide necessary funding in this regard, Petruzielo said he would recommend offering a comprehensive summer school program for all interested students, to further increase the graduation rate and to enhance the focus on mastery of student performance standards, rather than the current focus on timing (i.e., graduation in no more than four 10-month years of instruction).

The district also will continue to share best practices among high school principals and counselors, as the graduation rate is an important component of School Improvement Plans and Innovation Zone initiatives.

“Graduation is the capstone for a lifetime of hard work by students, with the strong support of parents, grandparents, teachers, counselors, administrators, support staff, business partners and volunteers, who together ensure that each our community’s children is ready for a bright and successful future,” the superintendent added.

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