Graduation Rate for Oconee County Schools Dips Slightly, Remains One of Highest in State

Oconee County's graduation rate has decreased slightly more than one percentage point -- from 91.57 percent in 2011 to 90.48 percent in 2012, but remains one of the highest in Georgia, according to data released this week from the state Department of Education.

Georgia's rate, however, has risen more than two percentage points over the previous year – from 67.4 percent in 2011 to 69.7 percent in 2012.

While the 2012 rate for Oconee County High School was nearly unchanged at 89.41 percent compared to 89.43 percent in 2011, North Oconee High School saw a drop of about 2 percentage points from 93.65 in 2011 to 91.87 in 2012.

This marks only the second year that Georgia has used an adjusted cohort rate to determine graduation rates. The state uses a four-year method which tracks the number of students who graduate in that time frame. 

It also includes adjustments for student transfers. The calculation is based on federal standards that allow all states to equally compare graduation rates across the nation.

Rates of neighboring districts include: Barrow County at 67.95 percent, Clarke County at 70.14 and Walton County at 74.2 percent.

Click here to see individual graduation percentage rates for local high schools in 2012. One school -- -- graduated 100 percent of its students.

The school that made the biggest gain over the previous year is Mountain View High, which increased 11.53 percentage points over its 2011 rate.

--Oconee Path editor Stephanie Gross contributed to this report.

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