Atlanta Schools Achieve Record Graduation Rates

Atlanta, GA, September 29, 2025

News Summary

Metro Atlanta school districts are celebrating significant improvements in high school graduation rates, with Fulton County’s Global Impact Academy achieving a 100% graduation rate. Fulton County overall reported a 91.9% graduation rate, while Atlanta Public Schools noted a rise to 90.5%. The Class of 2025 saw increased on-time graduations, with notable improvements from various schools, particularly among different student subgroups. Community support and focused academic efforts were cited as key factors contributing to this success.

Atlanta, GA – Many metro Atlanta school districts have reported significant improvements in high school graduation rates for the Class of 2025. Fulton County’s Global Impact Academy celebrated achieving a remarkable 100% graduation rate during its third graduating class, marking a historic milestone for the school and the district as a whole.

Fulton County Schools achieved a record-breaking overall graduation rate of 91.9%, underscoring a continuous effort to support student success. The Chief Academic Officer highlighted that graduating students opens up various post-secondary options such as college, work, or military service. In addition, Atlanta Public Schools (APS) recorded an impressive on-time graduation rate of 90.5%, which surpasses last year’s rate of 88.6% and the state average for the third consecutive year.

In the Class of 2025, a total of 3,095 students graduated on time, an increase from 2,873 students the previous year. The graduating cohort consisted of 3,421 students compared to 3,250 students in 2024, marking the highest graduation percentage for APS since the state adopted the cohort graduation rate in 2012.

Among the 16 APS schools with graduating classes, 11 improved their graduation rates from 2024. Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy maintained a 100% graduation rate for the seventh consecutive year. The largest gain among traditional schools was observed at Frederick Douglass High School, which reported a 7.33 percentage-point increase. Additionally, eleven APS schools achieved graduation rates above 90%, including Coretta Scott King YWLA (100%), Charles Drew Secondary (98.2%), and BEST Academy (97.4%). Other schools that reported high graduation rates included Atlanta Classical Academy, KIPP Collegiate, and Midtown.

Furthermore, graduation rates for specific student subgroups also reached record levels. Black students achieved an all-time high graduation rate of 89.1%, while White students graduated at a rate of 97.3%. Students with disabilities recorded an 83.1% graduation rate, followed by English learners at 82.6%, and economically disadvantaged students at 88.9%. Notably, the graduation rate gap between Black and White students decreased to just over 8 percentage points from nearly 11 points in 2024.

Atlanta Board of Education Chair acknowledged the efforts of the Class of 2025 in raising academic standards and highlighted the integral role of community support. Other notable achievements include Northview High School’s graduation rate of 98% and Riverwood International Charter High School, reporting a 97.1% graduation rate.

Fulton County Schools not only celebrated attaining the highest graduation rate in district history at 91.9% but also noted five consecutive years of record-breaking rates. Over the past five years, the district has seen a 6.4% increase in graduation rates, especially in the wake of the pandemic. The district attributes its success to targeted academic support, advanced coursework, and a focus on Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE), with seventeen out of 21 high schools exceeding the 90% graduation rate threshold.

Summary of Graduation Rate Improvements

• Fulton County: 100% at Global Impact Academy, 91.9% overall.
• Atlanta Public Schools: 90.5%, up from 88.6%
• Total APS graduates: 3,095.
• Specific high achieving schools:
  • Coretta Scott King YWLA (100%)
  • Charles Drew Secondary (98.2%)
  • BEST Academy (97.4%)

Key Improvements by Subgroups

• Black students: 89.1%
• White students: 97.3%
• Students with disabilities: 83.1%
• English learners: 82.6%
• Economically disadvantaged students: 88.9%

Notable Schools with High Graduation Rates

• Northview High School: 98%
• Riverwood International Charter High School: 97.1%
• Frederick Douglass High School: 7.33% increase

Graduation Rate Improvement Overview

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Additional Resources

• Atlanta News First
• Wikipedia: High School Graduation Rate
• CBS News
• Google Search: High School Graduation Rates Atlanta
• Rough Draft Atlanta
• Google Scholar: Atlanta Public Schools Graduation Rate
• WSB TV
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
• WSB Radio
• Google News: Atlanta High School Graduation Rates

Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER

The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.