Rockdale County’s Class of 2025 graduation rates highest ever, exceeds Georgia’s average

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–Rockdale County Public Schools’ (RCPS) graduation rate rose to an all-time high of 89.52% with the Class of 2025, eclipsing last year’s rate as the highest ever since Georgia began calculating the federally-required four-year graduation cohort rate. 

For the third year in a row, RCPS also topped the state average, which came in at 87.2 %. The Georgia Department of Education recently released the 2025 Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rates for the state and RCPS increased its rate by .77 percentage points over last year’s 88.75%.

“We are committed to ensuring every student crosses the graduation stage prepared for success,” Superintendent Shirley Chesser said. “Our rising graduation rate reflects the daily dedication shown by our teachers, staff, and families. This achievement is worth celebrating, but our work continues. We remain focused on strengthening support systems and expanding opportunities so that every student reaches their full potential.”

“I am proud of our continued progress,” said Rockdale County Board of Education Chairwoman Sandra Jackson-Lett. “As we look ahead, our priority is to ensure every graduate leaves us not only with a diploma, but with the confidence and readiness for whatever path they choose. This reflects our district’s vision: that all students will become productive and thriving members of our global society who are empowered to advocate for themselves and others.”

The RCPS graduation rate has increased by more than 13 percentage points since 2012, when Georgia began calculating the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate as required by federal law.

How Georgia calculates its graduation 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 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.