The Clarke Central High School Class of 2026 graduates sit in Akins Ford Arena on May 23 during the CCHS Graduation Ceremony. CCHS Assistant Principal Dr. Summer Smith and the counselors team met with seniors before graduation so that all students could receive a diploma. “We really make sure that every senior if (they) need a plan, (knows) what it is and that we continue to check in and ask every day to give whatever support is needed,” Smith said. “We know how important it is for kids’ lives (for them) to leave with a high school diploma.” Photo by Iliana Tejada
The CCSD four-year high school graduation rates increased for the Class of 2026, standing at its greatest number since before 2011
On Sept. 28, the Clarke County School District announced that the CCSD achieved a 4.5 point increase in four-year high school graduation rates in 2026, going up by 20.3% since 2011.
As of 2011, federal law requires the Georgia Department of Education to calculate the cohort graduation rate for high schools. The GaDOE documented CCSD’s four-year graduation rate at 66.05% in 2011, which has, as of 2026, reached 86.35% according to a Sept. 28 CCSD press release.
A graph shows the percentage of Clarke County School District graduates from CCSD overall, Clarke Central High School, Cedar Shoals High School and Classic City High School by category. CCHS Associate Principal Dr. Summer Smith worked with many seniors who needed assistance with completing the graduation checklist across the whole school. “I think that articulating to kids and making sure to (ask) kids and families ‘What do you need to do?’ and that there’s been a consistent focus,” Smith said. “So, (the class of 2026’s) whole high school (experience) was ‘normal,’ and getting back to normal post COVID, and being really intentional about supporting kids wherever they are, whatever they need.” Graph by Violet Dockey
“Raising our graduation rate shows what is possible when we stay focused on strong instruction, building relationships, and removing barriers to student success,” CCSD Superintendent, Dr. Jennifer Scott stated in the press release. “I am so proud of Clarke Central (High School), Cedar Shoals (High School), and Classic City (High School) for the gains they’ve made. We will continue this work going forward to ensure every student in Clarke County graduates prepared for life beyond high school.”
Clarke County School District Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Scott stands at the podium in the Akins Ford Arena on May 23 for the Clarke Central High School Class of 2026 Graduation. The CCSD high school graduation rates increased the percentage of graduates from multiple diverse groups in the Athens Community. “I am so proud of Clarke Central, Cedar Shoals, and Classic City for the gains they’ve made,” Scott said in a Sept. 28 press release. “We will continue this work going forward to ensure every student in Clarke County graduates prepared for life beyond high school.” Photo by Iliana Tejada
CCHS Associate Principal Dr. Summer Smith and the rest of the CCHS administration team work with all seniors throughout each school year ensuring that they are meeting graduation credit requirements and planning for the future.
“We really try to focus on any students that pop up who are struggling. The counseling team does an amazing job, teachers do an amazing job of identifying kids who struggle, (and getting) them to counseling, (talking) with administration, and working the plan (for getting to graduation),” Smith said. “If you’re a little off track or if you’ve fallen off track, what’s the plan, and are you working the plan?”
“Raising our graduation rate shows what is possible when we stay focused on strong instruction, building relationships, and removing barriers to student success.”
— Dr. Summer Smith,
CCHS Associate Principal
For the 2026-27 school year, CCHS College and Career Adviser Cameron Garrett and the CCHS administrative team plan to continue providing support for seniors to increase the graduation rate.
“One of my goals (for the 2026-27 school year) would be to start (meeting) with students earlier, so I have more time to have a lot of brief check-ins with most of the students early,” Garrett said. “That way we can have more time to develop a personalized plan, and know when to check in with them.”
