Georgia Charter Schools Association commends Charles R. Drew Charter School for receiving the number one high school graduation rate in Atlanta Public Schools. Drew Charter School also tied with eleven other schools for the number one high school graduation rate in Georgia.

“We are very proud of our inaugural senior class for their 100 percent graduation rate, the highest graduation rate in Atlanta Public Schools,” said Don Doran, Head of School for Charles R. Drew Charter School. “Together with our talented staff in the College and Career Readiness Office, our seniors worked incredibly hard to ensure they all graduated on time and had great postsecondary options tailored to their individual strengths.”

GCSA also congratulates Baconton Community Charter School for receiving the 10th highest graduation rate in the state. In 2017, nearly 98 percent of the public charter school’s twelfth graders finished high school.

"At Baconton, we encourage our Blazers to finish what they start and finish strong, Graduation is the prize, and we believe that encouraging and providing unlimited support is critical to reaching this goal," said Baconton Community Charter School Administrator Lynn Pinson. “Our Administration, Faculty and Staff work hard to build relationships that nurture our students’ hearts and minds, and it is to their credit that our students are realizing their potential."

Statesboro STEAM Academy tied for the 27th highest high school completion rate in the state. The school also received the top graduation rate in its local district with more than 95 percent of the school’s seniors graduating this year.

"Statesboro STEAM Academy is very proud of this phenomenal achievement,” said Statesboro STEAM Academy Director Corliss Reese. “It is surely a testament to our students’ dedication to their education. It further speaks to their ability to persevere after some of them have come to us having had academic struggles in the past. Our teachers have done a wonderful job growing and nurturing our students towards academic success.”

Pataula Charter Academy and Hapeville Charter Career Academy placed in the top 50 in the state for their high school completion rate. Both schools tied for the 48th highest high school completion rate in Georgia with nearly 93 percent of its seniors receiving a diploma.

Other charter high schools that beat the state graduation rate average include KIPP Atlanta Collegiate and Fulton Leadership Academy. KIPP Atlanta Collegiate received the fifth highest completion rate in Atlanta Public Schools with more than 91 percent of KIPP Atlanta Collegiate students finishing high school this year. Fulton Leadership Academy also achieved a high graduation rate. This year, 88 percent of the school’s seniors completed high school.

These seven charter public schools not only beat the average state high school graduation rate, but they also exceeded the average rates of their local districts or the counties where they are located. Georgia Charter Schools Association applauds them for helping their students cross the finish line and preparing them for college and future career opportunities.