Monroe Messages
A Newsletter of Monroe County Schools
October 21, 2021
For Immediate Release

Mary Persons High School 2021 Graduation Rate

Mary Persons High School announces the 2021 four-year graduation cohort rate.  The students of Mary Persons graduated at a rate of 91% for the 2020-2021 school year.  This is the second year in a row that more than 90% of our cohort graduated. The previous year’s local graduation rate was 92.1%.  

“The graduation rate for the 2020-2021 school year is truly another monumental effort in the midst of a global pandemic. This achievement is a testament to the efforts of a supportive and informed BOE, dedicated and talented Pre-K-12 teachers, effective administrators and support personnel, engaged parents and community members, and motivated and inspired students. This is truly great work by all stakeholder groups,” stated Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman.  “Our entire staff has done an outstanding job getting students ready for post-secondary education, the world of work, and military service.”     
Georgia’s 2021 graduation rate dipped slightly from 83.8% in 2020 to 83.7% in 2021. 
  
Georgia calculates a four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate as required by federal law. This rate is the number of students who graduate in four years with a regular high school diploma divided by the number of students who form the adjusted cohort for the graduating class. From the beginning of ninth grade, students who are entering that grade for the first time form a cohort that is subsequently “adjusted” by adding any students who transfer into the cohort over the next three years, and subtracting any students who transfer out. 

While all states use the same calculation, each state sets its own requirements for students to earn a regular high school diploma. Georgia has some of the highest requirements in the nation for students to graduate with a regular diploma.

“Graduating students on time is our core business and is a key component of our mission statement at Mary Persons. We will not be fully satisfied until all students obtain a Mary Persons diploma. However, we are content for now that we have maintained a rate that is above 90% for two consecutive years, which is the first time that has happened in the history of MPHS,” said Dr. Jim Finch, principal at Mary Persons High School. "The 91.0% graduation rate is a testament to the hard work of our teachers, students, administrators and support staff. This also would not have occurred without the engagement of our parents, and the support of the Monroe County community. We're proud to be MP and we're proud to be a CHAMP!"