VALDOSTA — Lowndes and Valdosta high schools have increased their graduation rates in the last year. 

With Lowndes at 92 percent and Valdosta at 87.8 percent for the Class of 2018, the trend of improved graduation rates goes beyond the area schools. Georgia experienced an increase statewide for the seventh consecutive year at 81.6 percent.

For Lowndes, it not only marked the second year graduation rates increased, but it was the second year the school system had graduation rates above 90 percent.

In 2017, graduation rates were at 90 percent, the first year going at or above 90 percent after falling to 86.1 percent in 2016.

Only 74 other Georgia school systems have graduation rates at or above 90 percent.

“This is an indication of the hard work of the teachers throughout the entire school system who put our students in a position to ensure their success beyond graduation,” Lowndes County Schools Superintendent Wes Taylor said in a statement.

Graduation rates were further broken down for county schools by race: 91.7 percent for black students, 98.1 percent for Hispanic students, 94.7 percent for multiracial students and 91.2 percent for white students.

Lowndes High saw improved graduation rates specifically among economically disadvantaged students from 82.1 percent last year to 85.2 percent in 2018.

LHS students with disabilities had increased graduation rates from 71.6 percent to 80.8 percent.

Valdosta High experienced a steep increase in the graduation rate from 75.7 percent in 2017 to 87.8 percent in 2018. Valdosta High had an 81.4 percent rate in 2016.

“You can only imagine how proud I am to be the principal of Valdosta High School after seeing these significant increases in every subgroup of our 2018 graduation rate,” Dr. Janice Richardson, principal, said in a statement. “Our students have worked so hard and our staff has worked even harder to ensure our students are achieving at their highest potential. This change is not something that comes overnight. It takes long hours and several months of research, collaboration, planning, executing and evaluating new initiatives. We are so happy to see all of the hard work paying off for our students.”

“The increased graduation rate is evidence of the collaborative efforts of the staff members of Valdosta High School, district office, parents and, most of all, students to ensure more students have infinite possibilities in the future,” said Dr. Todd Cason, city schools superintendent, in a statement.

Valdosta High graduation rates were broken down by race: 85.8 percent for black students; 94.9 percent for white students.

Economically disadvantaged students had a 87.8 percent graduation rate. Students with disabilities had a 68 percent rate.

 

Katelyn Umholtz is a reporter with the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256.