Richmond and McDuffie Counties Post Record Graduation Rates for Class of 2026

Richmond County School System hit 84.2% for the Class of 2026. That's the third year in a row the district broke its own record. McDuffie County Schools also set a new mark for this class.

Richmond's number jumped 2.5 percentage points from last year's 81.7%. Since 2022, when the rate sat at 71.66%, it's climbed over 12 percentage points.

"We talk often about getting 1% better every day and making steady, measurable progress for our students," said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Malinda Cobb, per WRDW. "These improvements come from students who stayed focused on their goals and the teachers, counselors, administrators, staff, and families who supported them along the way. I am proud of what we have accomplished, and I know there is still more work ahead of us."

Seven high schools boosted their rates from 2025. T.W. Josey Comprehensive High School saw the biggest jump, up 9.82 percentage points to 75.88%. Lucy C. Laney Comprehensive High School went up 7.34 points, landing at 81.32%. George P. Butler Comprehensive High School climbed 4.95 points, finishing at 83.25%. Hephzibah Comprehensive High School reached 87.55%.

Three magnet schools kept 100% graduation rates. A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School, John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School, and Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School all topped the state average.

Officials point to intervention programs and early-warning systems. School teams track attendance, behavior, and coursework with "cohort crews" to spot struggling students before it's too late.

Graduation audits across the district, high school Multi-Tiered System of Supports facilitators, and graduation coaches link students with counseling, credit recovery, and programs like Summer Gap.