GCS Graduation Rate Hits New High of 84.5 Percent

Nearly 85 percent of students who enter high school in Guilford County Schools (GCS) graduate within four years, according to preliminary 2012 figures released today. The district's graduation rate hit a high of 84.5 percent, an increase from last year's rate of 83.1 percent. This is the highest level since the state began its current method of calculation in 2006.

Six schools had 100 percent graduation rates: The Early College at Guilford, Greensboro College Middle College, The Middle College at Bennett, The Middle College at N.C. A&T, Penn-Griffin School for the Arts and Weaver Academy.

An additional nine schools had rates of more than 90 percent, including four large traditional high schools: Northern High (97.8), Southeast High (96.7), Northwest High (93.6) and Southwest High (91.3). The remaining schools above 90 percent were middle colleges or academies, including The Academy at Smith (98.5), The Middle College at GTCC-Greensboro (97.2), The Middle College at GTCC-High Point (95.4), The Academy at Central (94.3) and The Middle College at GTCC-Jamestown (90.7).

"Our graduation rate is a powerful measure of our commitment to preparing students for the college or career of their choice," says Superintendent Maurice "Mo" Green. "I'm proud of the many teachers and staff members who contributed to this success, especially those at larger schools such as Northern and Southeast, where such rates are extremely difficult to achieve."

Andrews High, Dudley High and Northeast High also saw significant gains, from 80.1 percent to 87.6 at Andrews; from 80.8 to 85.6 at Dudley and from 80.5 to 87.8 at Northeast.

The district's graduation rate has risen steadily for the past four years, up from 79.7 percent in 2008. The district's strategic plan called for a rate of 90 percent by 2012. The Class of 2012 earned a record number of scholarship offers, totaling more than $139 million. This year, more than 500 graduates also earned the GCS Service-Learning Diploma, which was given to those who recorded 175 hours or more of service-learning activity.

The State Board of Education will announce official graduation results in August 2012.