Barrow County School System 2019 Graduation Rate Increases to 87.6%

The Barrow County School System class of 2019 posted a graduation rate of 87.6% for the 4-year cohort, beating the state graduate rate of 82.0%.

For the 7th year in a row, Barrow County is above the statewide average. “The hard work of our teachers, staff, students and parents have once again set a new benchmark in the area of graduation rate for Barrow County. I am thrilled with the steady growth the system has seen in this rate over the past several years,” stated Superintendent Dr. Chris McMichael. “It is a direct result of the system wide focus on teaching and learning at higher levels that permeates our schools.”

Georgia’s 4-year cohort:    82.0%
Barrow County School System:   87.6%
Apalachee High School:    90.7%
Winder-Barrow High School:   84.8%

Each of our high schools continues to see improvement over last year’s graduation rates. Winder-Barrow High School saw an increase of +0.9 over 2018. Curriculum Assistant Principal Jessica Rehberg said that Winder-Barrow High School is focused on “literacy, collaboration, and high academic standards.” Apalachee High School posted a graduation rate of 90.7%, crossing the 90 mark for the first time. Principal Jennifer Martin shared, “Our faculty and staff places emphasis on the individual student. When we see an academic need, we put our collective thoughts together and create a plan for supporting that student on their educational journey.” The class of 2019 had 825 students walk across the stage in Barrow County School System.

“All of the work being done in pre-K through middle school is setting a strong foundation in high school, and our high schools are raising the bar every year,” stated Board of Education Chairman Lynn Stevens. Under Dr. McMichael’s leadership the past five years, the Barrow County School System has seen an increase in the 4-year cohort graduation rate by 8.5% from 2015 to 2019.

Barrow County Graduation Rates (4-year cohort):
2019 – 87.6%
2018 – 86.1%
2017 – 82.6%
2016 – 83.9%
2015 – 79.1%

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Barrow County Schools are BOLDly Committed to Student Success and serve more than 14,000 students in the metro-Atlanta area as the 25th largest school system in Georgia. For more information, please visit www.barrow.k12.ga.us or contact us at 770-867-4527.

Media Contacts:
Shenley Rountree, Director of Public Relations & Strategic Partnerships | 770-867-4527 | Shenley.Rountree@barrow.k12.ga.us