The Newton County School System’s (NCSS) four-year cohort graduation rate increased by two percentage points from 2015 to 2016 moving the system up to a rate of 83 percent.

The NCSS graduation rate is four points higher than the state’s rate of 79 percent.

The Georgia Department of Education’s four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate defines the cohort based on when a student first becomes a freshman. The rate is calculated using the number of students who graduate within four years and includes adjustments for student transfers.

The system’s district graduation rate increased by two percentage points in 2016 — going from 81 percent in 2015 to 83 percent in 2016. Alcovy High School’s graduation rate decreased slightly, dropping two points from 82 percent in 2015 to 80 percent in 2016. Newton High School’s rate increased one point from 82 percent to 83 percent in 2016. Eastside High School posted a five-point increase as the school’s graduation rate jumped from 86 percent in 2015 to 91 percent in 2016. All three high schools outperformed the state’s 79 percent graduation rate.

“We are very pleased that, as a system, our graduation rate continues to improve, and we have outperformed the state for three consecutive years.” said Samantha Fuhrey, Superintendent of Newton County Schools. “We aren’t where we want to be but we are definitely heading in the right direction.  Our goal is to continue to improve the rate at which our students graduate with an ultimate goal of having every student graduate from high school within four years.  We have our work cut out for us, but I believe our students, teachers, and leaders are up to the challenge.”

For more information, contact Dr. Allison Jordan, NCSS Director of Testing, Research, and Evaluation, at jordan.allison@newton.k12.ga.us.