Metro Atlanta, Georgia, September 29, 2025
News Summary
Metro Atlanta school districts have reported notable increases in graduation rates for high school students. Fulton County Schools achieved a 91.9% graduation rate, with Global Impact Academy reaching an impressive 100%. Atlanta Public Schools and Marietta City Schools also saw significant gains. These results demonstrate a commitment to education, showing positive trends in closing demographic gaps and providing students with essential post-secondary options. Educators attribute these successes to resilience and ongoing investments, even as challenges related to literacy levels remain a concern.
Metro Atlanta, Georgia
In a noteworthy development, many metro Atlanta school districts achieved significant improvements in high school graduation rates for 2025. Fulton County made headlines with its Global Impact Academy reaching a remarkable 100% graduation rate for its graduating class, marking a historic milestone as the school’s first full cohort to achieve this feat.
According to Fulton County Schools, the overall graduation rate soared to 91.9%, representing a 6.4% increase over the last five years. This accomplishment was highlighted during a recent celebrations, where Chief Academic Officer Brannon Gaskins pointed out that these graduation rates provide students with essential post-secondary options, including college, vocational work, or military service.
In addition to Fulton County, Atlanta Public Schools (APS) reported a commendable 90.5% graduation rate, which is significantly higher than the state average of 87.2%. The APS Class of 2025 consisted of 3,421 students, an increase of 222 graduates from the previous year. District achievements include a narrowing of the graduation rate gap between Black and White students, which decreased to just over 8 percentage points from nearly 11 points the year before.
Further highlighting positive trends, Marietta City Schools reported a record high graduation rate of 92.2% at Marietta High School, while Northview High School achieved a 98% four-year graduation rate, and Riverwood International Charter High School reported a rate of 97.1% for the 2024-2025 school year. In Fulton County, 17 out of 21 high schools surpassed the 90% graduation rate threshold.
The graduation success was linked, in part, to participation in Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE), where students completing two or more courses saw a graduation rate of 99%. Superintendent Mike Looney pointed out that the increased rates are a result of the district’s resilience and ongoing investments in recovery and innovative practices after the pandemic.
Although the graduation rates reflect significant victories, an investigation revealed a potential gap between these rates and adult literacy levels, suggesting that some schools might focus more on completion rather than competence. Principal Johnathan Hall of Global Impact Academy attributed their students’ success to strong support from schools and parental involvement.
Demographics and Comparative Success Rates
The statistics from the graduation rates revealed the following: Black students had a graduation rate of 89.1%, White students at 97.3%, students with disabilities at 83.1%, English learners at 82.6%, and economically disadvantaged students at 88.9%.
As a broader context, 134 school districts across Georgia reported graduation rates of 90% or above, contributing to an overall state average of 87.2%, a rate not seen since 2011. This collective effort from educators, families, and students led to a celebration of unprecedented achievements in the realm of high school completion.
Conclusion
The surge in graduation rates across metro Atlanta school districts underscores a commitment to education and student support during challenging times. This accomplishment reinforces the importance of continued investment in educational initiatives to ensure that students are adequately prepared for life after high school.
FAQs
What was the graduation rate for Fulton County Schools in 2025?
Fulton County Schools celebrated a record-breaking overall graduation rate of 91.9% on Monday.
How did Global Impact Academy perform in terms of graduation rates?
Fulton County’s Global Impact Academy achieved a 100% graduation rate for the class of 2025.
What were the graduation rates reported by Atlanta Public Schools?
Atlanta Public Schools (APS) reported a graduation rate of 90.5% for seniors in 2025.
Which high school in Marietta recorded the highest graduation rate?
Marietta High School achieved the highest graduation rate in its history at 92.2%.
What demographic disparities were noted in graduation rates?
The percentage of Black students graduating was recorded at 89.1%, White students at 97.3%, students with disabilities at 83.1%, English learners at 82.6%, and economically disadvantaged students at 88.9%.
Chart: Overview of Graduation Rates in Metro Atlanta for 2025
| School District | Graduation Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| Fulton County Schools | 91.9 |
| Global Impact Academy | 100.0 |
| Atlanta Public Schools | 90.5 |
| Marietta High School | 92.2 |
| Northview High School | 98.0 |
| Riverwood International Charter High School | 97.1 |
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Additional Resources
- Atlanta News First: High School Graduation Rates Improvement
- Wikipedia: Education in Georgia
- Rough Draft Atlanta: Fulton County Schools Graduation Success
- Google Search: High School Graduation Rates Georgia
- CBS News: Atlanta Public Schools Graduation Rate
- Google Scholar: Atlanta Public Schools Graduation Rates
- WSB TV: Metro Atlanta School Districts Share Graduation Rates
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Graduation Rates
- WSB Radio: Atlanta Public Schools Graduation Rate Tops 90%
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.
