AHS, SHS earn 95%; PHS graduates 88%

All three school systems in Covington County earned graduation rates higher than the state of Alabama’s average of 87.1 percent in 2016, the latest year for which data has been released.

State education officials announced this week that of the 56,433 students who enrolled as freshmen in the 2012-2013 school year, 49,164 of them graduated in 2016.

Locally, Andalusia City Schools, specifically Andalusia High School, had a 95 percent graduation rate for the Class of 2016.

“This is really good,” ACS Superintendent Ted Watson said. “Considering years ago we didn’t maky Adequate Yearly Progress because of our graduation rate, we are proud of the strides our students have made.”

Watson said there are also so many opportunities for students to earn their diplomas these days.

“We have the YES program and we have ACCESS in addition to the normal classes,” he said.

Watson said the way the cohort is figured has changed to help with unforeseen circumstances and other areas.

“This allows for the graduation rate to not be so draconian,” he said.

Covington County Schools earned a 93 percent rate.

“We have been consistently good for the last couple of years,” Superintendent Shannon Driver said. “We are very proud.”

Driver said Straughn High School earned a 95 percent graduation rate; Red Level High School had a 93 percent graduation rate; Florala High School had a 91 percent graduation rate and Pleasant Home has an 88 percent graduation rate.

Opp City Schools, specifically Opp High School, graduated 93 percent of the class.

“It’s been a focus for a number of years,” Superintendent Michael Smithart said. “We certainly won’t be happy until we have a 100 percent, but we are making great strides.”