The graduation rate for students in the McDuffie County School System continues its decade-long upward climb, reaching yet another all-time high. The rate for the Class of 2026 rose to 95.9%, as measured by the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI), an increase of 0.3% over the Class of 2025.
For the sixth consecutive year, the district has reached its highest graduation rate since the inception of the CCRPI accountability system in 2012. This marks an increase of nearly 30 percentage points in the last 12 years. McDuffie County also outpaced the 2026 state graduation rate of 88.5%, which was another all-time high.
“We are proud of our students and staff and all of the tremendous work they have invested into these annual increases,” said McDuffie County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mychele Rhodes. “We are always glad to see this percentage rise, but to us it is more than a number. This means more of our students are leaving us ready to make a positive difference in the world.”
The continuing growth in the district’s graduation rate is the result of a variety of student achievement focused strategies implemented from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Those initiatives include small group reading and math instruction in elementary school; offering eighth grade students the option to take high school courses in academics, health and physical education, fine arts, and Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE); providing schedule flexibility in high school for dual enrollment and Advanced Placement courses; as well as a continued focus on CTAE career pathway offerings and work-based learning opportunities.
Students struggling to meet course requirements in the traditional manner are also offered a variety of support programs at the McDuffie Achievement Center and Thomson High School aimed at helping them find a path to success. Individual college and career plans are monitored by school counselors, system and school administrators, and a graduation coach. The district also offers extended learning periods, advanced content, specialized instructional classes, and tutoring.
“We are always striving to fulfill our district’s vision statement of empowering graduates to be successful in college, careers, and life,” Dr. Rhodes said. “Over the past decade, we have pioneered new initiatives, enhanced partnerships, and leveraged personalized pathways to make that statement a reality for our students. We continue that innovation as we work toward the ultimate goal of 100%.”