Cairo High School graduation rate improves to 90.7 percent

The graduation rate for Cairo High School has consistently been higher than the state average and when the results were released last week for 2018 the CHS rate was nine percent higher than the state average.
The 2018 CHS graduation rate was recorded at 90.7 up from 83.5 percent in 2017 and topping the 2018 state average of 81.6.
According to the Georgia Department of Education, this is an all-time high for Georgia’s graduation rate since the state began using the adjusted cohort calculation now required by federal law. Seventy-four Georgia school districts recorded 2018 graduation rates at or above 90 percent.
“I would like to say how proud I am of our students and teachers. Everyone on the staff plays a role in helping our students become successful and to graduate on time. The Graduation Committee made up of administrators, counselors, teachers, and support personnel did an outstanding job assisting our students in reaching their academic goals. The seniors accepted our Graduation Challenge at the beginning of their senior year, in which they pledged to graduate on time and with their graduating class,” said Cairo High School Principal Chris Lokey.
As an added measure, the CHS principal also meets personally with parents of students who are considering dropping out.
“It’s my policy at the high school that no student is allowed to drop out of high school without first having a meeting with his or her parent and myself. I feel that this policy has helped to lower our number of dropouts,” principal Lokey said.
According to Lokey, a high school diploma is the foundation for students to build upon once they leave high school.
“We want to make sure that students have a plan in life to help them become a successful citizen, and once again stress the importance of having a high school education and diploma. After some of these meetings I have had parents say, ‘please give him/her a pass back to class,’ then ultimately we see that student go on to graduate. That is our goal,” Lokey said.
“Georgia’s graduation rate continues to rise because our public-school students have access to more opportunities than ever before,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “From Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education to dual enrollment to the fine arts, there is an unprecedented emphasis on supporting the whole child and making sure every single student understands the relevance of what they’re learning. I’m confident we’ll continue to see these gains as long as we’re still expanding opportunities that keep students invested in their education.”
Georgia calculates a four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate as required by federal law. This rate is the number of students who graduate in four years with a regular high school diploma divided by the number of students who form the adjusted cohort for the graduating class. From the beginning of ninth grade, students who are entering that grade for the first time form a cohort that is subsequently “adjusted” by adding any students who transfer into the cohort during the next three years, and subtracting any students who transfer out.
Grady County School Superintendent Dr. Kermit Gilliard said that not only is the Cairo High School administration and faculty to be congratulated but also all Grady County School System personnel.
“This score of 90.7 percent is a result of 13-14 years of work. It begins in Pre-k and Kindergarten and continues up through the grades. It is also a testament to the parents and guardians of our local students,” Dr. Gilliard said.
By expanding class offerings and opportunities, Dr. Gilliard said the school system is working to make school more interesting and attractive to students. He says that if students are interested and engaged in what they are being taught then they will see value in staying in school and will be less likely to drop out.
“We have made a commitment to provide an opportunity for our students to learn in order to become productive citizens following their schooling, whether that is high school, college, the military or entering the workforce. It is our responsibility to have the students ready. Our teachers throughout the system work very hard to prepare our students for the next level,” Dr. Gilliard said.