The graduation rate for students in the McDuffie County School System has reached another new high. The rate for the Class of 2024 rose to 91.3 percent, as measured by the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI), an increase of 3.6 percent over the Class of 2023. For the fourth consecutive year, the district has reached its highest graduation rate since the inception of the CCRPI accountability system in 2012. It also outpaced the state rate of 85.4 percent, another all-time high.
“We just continue to praise our unbelievable faculty and staff across the district who helped make this happen,” said McDuffie County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mychele Rhodes. “We’re proud that our students continue to demonstrate their impact on the local workforce and at the next academic level of college or technical school.”
The continued rise in students completing high school is the direct result of several district-wide initiatives implemented to focus on student achievement. Those include small group reading and math instruction at the elementary level; offering eighth grade students the ability to take high school courses in academics, health and physical education, fine arts, and Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE); and providing the schedule flexibility for students to pursue dual enrollment and Advanced Placement courses. There is also a continued focus on CTAE career pathway offerings and on encouraging students to gain experience through work-based learning opportunities in the community.
A variety of programs initiated by the district also offers support to struggling students. Those unable to complete credits in a traditional manner can participate in credit recovery and extended school year options via summer and evening school programs at the McDuffie Achievement Center and Thomson High School. Graduation coaches and school counselors monitor student progress toward individual graduation plans. Extended learning periods, advanced content, specialized instructional classes, and tutoring are also an integral part of every day.
“We have made it a habit in McDuffie County to think outside the box when it comes to initiatives that can make a significant difference on student achievement,” Dr. Rhodes said. “We work hard to identify our students’ needs and provide opportunities to help them achieve success, and this continued improvement of our graduation rate is proof of that.”
In addition to overall growth in the graduation rate, all measured subgroups in McDuffie County demonstrated growth from the previous rates for the second year in a row. The subgroups with the largest gains were white students (5.5 percent increase) and students with disabilities (8.2 percent increase).