Nearly 87 percent of Henry County public school students in the Class of 2022 graduated in four years according to Georgia Department of Education data released this month by Henry County School.

The 86.8 percent rate was slightly lower than the 87.6 percent rate for the Class of 2021, but still above the state average, according to district officials.

“This year’s graduation rate tells a story about the resilience of our community and the hard work of so many people having come together to ensure the success of our students,” said district superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis. “The professionals in this district – ranging from teachers, to counselors, and other support personnel – are to be credited most for these impressive outcomes.”

Eight of the county’s ten public high schools showed gains in either four- or five-year cohort graduation rates, according to officials. The highest increase was at Eagle’s Landing High School, from 85 percent in 2021 to 88.3 percent in 2022.

Three high schools had graduation rates above 90 percent for the most recent class: Dutchtown (91.0 percent), Ola (92.2 percent), and Union Grove (92.8 percent). Hampton High School had the largest increase in five-year graduation rate, improving from 89% in 2021 to 94.3% in 2022.

Over the past four years, Henry County Schools has also consistently outperformed the state with four-year graduation rates among students with disabilities, officials stated. The class of 2022 earned a graduation rate of 77 percent, which is four percentage points higher than the state average and six percentage points higher than the 2019 pre-pandemic rate.

“There is so much to be proud of with these graduation rates, but the hard work of our teachers, students, and the support of our parents helped to make this possible,” said Henry County Board of Education vice chair Annette Edwards.

Henry County Schools also produced the sixth highest number of graduates in the state in 2022, with 3,250 students meeting graduate requirements within four years.

“Graduation rates are only one measure of school performance, but we are pleased with our continued progress coming out of the pandemic and look forward to continued success in the future,” said board chair Holly Cobb.