Greenville County Schools Sets Record with Graduation Rates
In the vibrant and bustling city of Greenville, an exciting milestone has been reached in the world of education! **_Greenville County Schools (GCS)_** has proudly announced a record-breaking high school graduation rate of **_88.7%_** for this academic year, marking the highest rate in the district’s history. That’s a whopping increase of 3.6 percentage points compared to last year. What fantastic news for students and families in the area!
Graduating with Purpose
But that’s not all—GCS is also making headlines when it comes to preparing students for life after high school. An impressive **_88.1%_** of the 2023-24 graduation cohort met the crucial College and Career Readiness markers, showing a significant jump of **_6.4%_** from the previous year. It’s clear that GCS is not just focusing on diplomas; they’re ensuring students are equipped for future success.
State Rankings and Comparisons
In addition to these graduation statistics, GCS earned commendable ratings from the South Carolina Department of Education’s annual report card for the 2023-24 school year. Nearly **_90% (88.4%)_** of schools in the district received a score of Excellent, Good, or Average. Out of those, **_31.4%_** of the schools achieved the highest rank, which is Excellent. To put things into perspective, GCS outperformed schools across the state by an impressive **_18.4%_**. This indicates that students in Greenville County are thriving!
The Voices Behind Success
“The increase in our graduation rate and the growth in college- and career-readiness demonstrate that Greenville County Schools continues to set a high standard for achievement,” stated GCS Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster in a recent news release. He credited the success to the hard work and shared commitment of students, families, and staff, along with the GCS Board of Trustees’ support. Not to mention, the **_Graduation Plus initiative_** has been instrumental in ensuring students are not just earning diplomas, but also gaining valuable college credits and industry certifications.
Breaking Down the Numbers
For those interested in the nitty-gritty, let’s take a closer look at how GCS compares with other local districts. Here’s a quick snapshot of school ratings:
- Excellent: 27 schools
- Good: 28 schools
- Average: 21 schools
- Below Average: 8 schools
- Unsatisfactory: 2 schools
When comparing graduation rates over the years, it is heartening to see a steady upward trend:
- GCS Graduation Rates: 84.1 (2021), 84.8 (2022), 86.1 (2023), 88.7 (2024)
- State of S.C. Graduation Rates: 83.3 (2021), 83.8 (2022), 83.8 (2023), 85.4 (2024)
Some standout schools in GCS include:
- Woodmont HS: 95.5
- Riverside HS: 95.3
- Mauldin HS: 94.7
- Hillcrest HS: 92.8
- Eastside HS: 90.5
But it doesn’t stop there—GCS schools are also outperforming the state in terms of College and Career Readiness, showing a positive trajectory from **_61.1%_** in 2020-21 to **_81.1%_** in 2023-24.
Looking Ahead
As the school year continues, it’s evident that the dedicated members of the GCS community are making strides toward creating a promising future for students. With this focus on achievement, graduation, and readiness for life’s next steps, Greenville County is definitely waving a bright flag of hope for its students and families.
Here’s to more **_great news_** from GCS in the coming years!
