Rockdale County Public Schools’ Class of 2026: 4 Out of 5 graduating on time

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA – Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) highlights the achievements of the Class of 2026, with more than four out of five students graduating on time and more than 90% ultimately earning a high school diploma. The district’s overall 2026 graduation rate is 86.05%. The four-year cohort rate is 84% while the five-year graduation rate climbed to 90.05%, reflecting the perseverance of students and the continued commitment of educators, families, and staff members to student success. 

While district leaders recognize the slight decline in the graduation rate over the Class of 2025, they are encouraged by the growth in the five-year graduation rate and remain focused on helping even more students cross the graduation stage on time. 

“Graduation represents far more than the completion of academic requirements,” said Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Johnson. “It is the culmination of years of hard work, personal growth, determination, and support. We are proud of the Class of 2026. More than four out of five students graduated on time, and more than nine out of ten earned a diploma within five years. We celebrate every graduate and remain focused on strengthening the academic, attendance, and individualized supports that will help even more students reach this milestone on schedule.” 

Officials said RCPS will use the graduation data to sharpen its focus on the areas that have the greatest influence on students’ ability to graduate on time. District and school leaders will continue working to:

• Identify students who may be at risk of falling off track for graduation 
• Strengthen academic interventions and credit-recovery opportunities 
• Address attendance concerns and chronic absenteeism earlier 
• Provide individualized graduation planning and advising 
• Increase communication and collaboration with students and families 
• Monitor student progress throughout high school 
• Evaluate and expand successful graduation practices across schools 

“Every graduate represents a young person who is ready to begin an exciting new chapter,” said Rockdale County Board of Education Chairwoman Sandra Jackson-Lett. “Today, we celebrate their accomplishments, their perseverance, and the promise of what lies ahead. We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to the teachers, counselors, school leaders, staff members, families, and community supporters who encouraged these students throughout their educational journeys. The Board remains committed to ensuring that every RCPS student has the opportunity, guidance, and support needed to achieve this life-changing goal.” 

High School Successes

The accomplishments of the Class of 2026 were reflected across all three RCPS high schools, with each school demonstrating important strengths and providing reasons to celebrate. 

Heritage High School led the district with an overall graduation rate of 90.5%. The school also recorded a four-year rate of 90.23% and a five-year graduation rate of 91.01%, continuing its strong record of helping students successfully complete high school. 

Salem High School achieved one of the district’s most notable gains. Its five-year graduation rate climbed from 85.93% in 2025 to 92.86% in 2026, an increase of nearly 7 percentage points. The significant growth reflects the persistence of Salem students and the sustained efforts of the school community to help students remain connected to a successful path toward graduation. Salem’s overall graduation rate is 86% while its four-year rate is 82.5%. 

Rockdale County High School continued helping students pursue their diplomas through multiple pathways and extended opportunities for completion. The school posted an overall graduation rate of 84%, a four-year rate of 81.86%, and a five-year graduation rate of 88.25%, representing students who continued working toward graduation and achieved this important milestone. 

How Georgia calculates its four-year cohort rate: 
• The number of students who graduate in four years with a regular high school diploma, divided by 
• The number of students who form the adjusted cohort for the graduating class. 

The adjusted four-year cohort rate means from the beginning of ninth grade, students who are entering that grade for the first time form a cohort that is subsequently adjusted by adding any students who transfer into the cohort during the next three years and subtracting any students who transfer out. 

The overall graduation rate is calculated by adding 75% of the four-year adjusted cohort rate and 25% of the five-year rate for a combined total.