City Schools of Decatur 2025 Graduation Rate Continues to Rise,
Ranks Second in the Metro Region 
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2025

Contact Information:
Sydney DuPriest
Director of Communications
O: 404.371.3601 ext. 1105 
C: 470.544.3697
sydney.dupriest@csdecatur.net 

DECATUR - City Schools of Decatur (CSD) is pleased to announce its four-year 2025 graduation rate increase to 96.04% for Decatur High School, representing a .79% increase from 2024 and nearly a 2% increase over the previous three years. 

According to recent data released by the Georgia Department of Education, CSD's graduation rate ranks second among districts in the Metro RESA region. Additionally, the district continues to graduate its seniors at one of the highest rates, outpacing the 2025 state average graduation rate of 87.2% and ranking 40th among 179 public school systems statewide.

"The steady increase in CSD graduation rates at Decatur High School is a testament to the high achievements of our students, the tireless efforts of our educators and the incredible partnership of our families," said Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker. "Over the past few years, we have implemented targeted programs and resources to support diverse learning needs, focused on multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), and it's truly rewarding to see these efforts reflected in our students' success," she continued. 

Georgia calculates its graduation rate by dividing the number of students who graduate in four years with a regular high school diploma by the number of students in the graduating class. The state began using the adjusted cohort calculation in 2011 as required by federal law. 

About City Schools of Decatur

Founded in 1901, City Schools of Decatur is a public charter school district in DeKalb County that consistently ranks among the top ten districts in Georgia. The school district supports approximately 5,500 students living within the city's four-square-mile area, offering public education from 0-3 to Pre-K and Kindergarten through 12th grade. CSD employs over 900 full- and part-time staff, including more than 443 teachers, and comprises four neighborhood elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, an Early Childhood Learning Center, and one virtual academy. With an impressive graduation rate of 96.04%, CSD students consistently outperform state and national averages on standardized tests across all grade levels, resulting in a long history of recognition and awards. The district's reputation for inspiring student growth through meaningful and engaging learning experiences is supported by highly qualified educators and strong community engagement.

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