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Floyd County Schools’ (FCS) Class of 2026 once again outperformed both state and national peers on the SAT, marking the seventh consecutive year of achievement, according to results released this week by the Georgia Department of Education and College Board.

The Class of 2026 had 170 test takers, 13 more than last year, and posted an average total score of 1103, exceeding the national public school average by 92 points and the state average by 72 points. Additionally, FCS raised its district score by 26 points compared to last year.

Part of the district's support for SAT preparation included a valuable collaboration. Last year, FCS provided a tutoring opportunity with Sylvan Learning for students preparing to take the SAT. District leaders extend their gratitude to Sylvan for that partnership and look forward to offering this opportunity again very soon.

“The Class of 2026 has achieved another impressive milestone,” said Superintendent Dr. Glenn White. “This accomplishment reflects the dedication of our students, teachers, and leaders across the district. I also want to thank our parents and community for their ongoing support.”   

FCS students earned an average score of 567 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) and 536 in Math. In comparison, Georgia students averaged 525 ERW and 506 Math, while national peers scored 515 ERW and 496 Math.   

"I am extremely proud of Georgia's class of 2026 for becoming the ninth in a row to beat the national average for public school students on the SAT," State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. "We have worked hard to improve both outcomes and opportunities for all Georgia students, while maintaining a strong focus on kids, classrooms, and common sense. While our work is far from finished, we can see the results of that work at play here — as Georgia's public-school students, despite taking the SAT at much higher rates than their counterparts in many other states, continue to beat the national average by significant percentages."

Although Georgia’s mean score decreased slightly compared to 2024, FCS students saw an increase in their mean score, comparatively, even with higher participation.

The SAT, the most commonly recognized measure of achievement for high school students, measures critical reading and mathematics abilities. It includes two 800-point sections: Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (ERW) and Mathematics (M), with a possible total score of 1600; a third section, a writing exam, is optional.

 

Floyd County Schools’ (FCS) official four-year graduation rate for the Class of 2026 stands at 97.2%, significantly higher than the state average of 88.5%.

Only 69 other school districts in the state achieved graduation rates of 95% or higher, with FCS finishing in the top 19%. This is the fourth year in a row that FCS graduates have surpassed a 95% graduation rate, reaching 95.31% back in 2023.

“Our graduation rate reflects the total dedication of our teachers, administrators, and support staff, and I couldn't be prouder of FCS,” said Superintendent Dr. Glenn White. “This success is a system-wide effort starting in Pre-K and carrying through to graduation day. Seeing so many students earn their diplomas is always a highlight—it’s a true testament to their hard work, family support, and our staff's guidance. Thank you to everyone who helped our students reach this milestone.” 

In addition to the system graduation rate topping 97%, all four high schools in the system were also significantly above the state average in the state report.

"I'm incredibly proud of the class of 2026, and the teachers, families, school and district staff, and communities who supported them," State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. "It's important to us that we're not just increasing the graduation rate, but ensuring students graduate prepared for life. Together with schools, districts, and partners across the state, we're ensuring that the high-school diploma in Georgia is a ticket to a successful future. Today's news is a testament to our shared efforts to ensure Georgia students see the relevance of their education and are connected to opportunity in the future. 

How Georgia calculates its graduation rate

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

Adjusted Cohort Definition: From the beginning of ninth grade, students who are entering that grade form a cohort that is subsequently adjusted by adding any students who transfer into the cohort during the next three years and subtracting any students who transfer out.

Georgia Graduation Rates – 2011 to 2026

2026 – 88.5%

2025 – 87.2%

2024 – 85.4%

2023 – 84.4%

2022 – 84.1%

2021 – 83.7%

2020 – 83.8%

2019 – 82.0%

2018 – 81.6%

2017 – 80.6%

2016 – 79.4%

2015 – 79.0%

2014 – 72.6%

2013 – 71.8%

2012 – 69.7%

2011 – 67.4%

For the GaDoe press release, please click here. 

 

Floyd County Schools is pleased to announce that Garden Lakes Elementary and Model Elementary have both earned the distinction of being named 2026 Georgia Title I Distinguished Schools by the Georgia Department of Education. This marks the second consecutive year both schools have achieved this honor.

This honor places each school among the top 5% of Title I schools in the state for overall academic performance. The designation is based on combined English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics scores from the FY25 school year.

"We are incredibly proud of Garden Lakes Elementary and Model Elementary for earning this recognition," said Floyd County Schools Superintendent Dr. Glenn White. "This achievement is a clear reflection of the hard work, dedication, and determination of our teachers and students, whose commitment to excellence continues to shine through in every area of learning."

Title I Distinguished Schools are recognized for consistently achieving high academic performance and closing gaps in student achievement. This recognition highlights the effectiveness of strong instruction, family and community engagement, and a commitment to student success.

Floyd County Schools congratulates the students, staff, and families of Garden Lakes Elementary and Model Elementary on this outstanding achievement.

About Floyd County Schools

The Floyd County School System (FloydBOE.net) is dedicated to providing exceptional educational opportunities that promote academic excellence for all students. Floyd County educators combine a strong focus on core academics with innovative teaching methods to create a solid foundation for lifelong learning.

Floyd County Schools offer comprehensive academic programs designed to prepare students for success in college, technical education, and a wide range of post-secondary pathways. Guided by its mission to foster productive citizens, the district is built on the cornerstones of integrity, community, accountability, and trust.

Located in Rome, Georgia, the Floyd County School System proudly serves 16 schools across the district.

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The Georgia Department of Education has released the 2026 Georgia Milestones results, and once again, Floyd County Schools (FCS) has proven to be a regional and statewide leader in student achievement.

Note: The current results do not reflect English Language Arts scores due to a new assessment framework. That data will be released later this year.

With exceptional growth and performance in every assessed area, FCS continues to set the standard for academic excellence across Northwest Georgia and surrounding school districts.

FCS consistently outperformed the State in all 13 tested subjects. Key highlights include:

• Strong Math Growth: Mathematics continues to grow, outpacing both the state average and Northwest Georgia RESA across every grade band.
• Algebra Excellence: In Algebra: Concepts and Connections, 70% of FCS students scored in the Proficient and Distinguished levels—a striking 22 points above the state average. This marks the third consecutive year FCS has achieved this milestone.
• Proficient and Distinguished Learners:
  • Elementary: FCS scored 66.41% (vs. State average of 47.51%)
  • Middle School: FCS scored 61.3% (vs. State average of 43.12%)
  • High School: FCS scored 70.78% (vs. State average of 48.0%)
• Science & Social Studies: FCS consistently outpaced the state across all science subjects as well as 8th-grade social studies.

These record-setting achievements hit all the right notes as the district unveiled its 2026–27 academic theme, “The Ultimate Playlist to Success.” Just as a great playlist blends different tracks into a unified sound, FCS harmonizes strong instruction, targeted support, and high expectations to help every student find their rhythm and achieve peak performance.

“This year’s scores are a clear reflection of the effort and commitment of our students, teachers, and instructional staff,” said Dr. Glenn White, Superintendent of Floyd County Schools. “Achieving results like these doesn't happen by accident—it takes a unified team working with purpose every single day, backed by a community that truly values education. I am incredibly proud of what our schools have accomplished.” 

FCS credits its ongoing success to several core strategies:

• A strong focus on foundational learning
• Instructional coaching and targeted academic interventions
• Detailed curriculum mapping to ensure seamless alignment with Georgia Standards

“Our educators and students have delivered a chart-topping performance this year,” added John Parker, Assistant Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer. “From our elementary classrooms to our high schools, every building contributed to this album of achievement. Our teachers and academic coaches are the master producers behind these numbers—putting in the daily work to fine-tune instruction so every child can hit their highest potential. We’re excited to keep this momentum going and set even higher records in the year ahead.”

The Georgia Milestones assessments measure student proficiency across core subjects and provide valuable insight into how well schools prepare students for the next level. FCS’s outstanding results reaffirm the district’s position at the top of the charts in instructional quality and academic excellence.

State’s Release

 

Floyd County Schools is proud to announce exceptional student performance on the recently released Advanced Placement (AP) exam results. Demonstrating a rigorous commitment to academic excellence, Floyd County students achieved college-qualifying scores on nearly 70% of all exams taken.

Out of 550 AP students enrolled across the district, an impressive 69% of all exams taken earned a score of 3, 4, or 5—the threshold typically required to secure college credit at most colleges and universities. 

Adding to this milestone, 215 students achieved prestigious AP Scholar designations, highlighting their consistent, high-level performance across multiple exams.

AP exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with a score of 3 or higher indicating readiness for college‑level coursework. By earning college‑credit‑eligible scores on 69% of exams, Floyd County students have collectively saved thousands of dollars in future tuition costs while gaining a strong head start on postsecondary success.

The College Board recognizes several tiers of academic distinction based on students' performance on AP Exams. The 215 scholar achievements across Floyd County Schools include:

• 128 AP Scholars: Awarded to students who received scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.
• 28 AP Scholars with Honor: Awarded to students who earned an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
• 50 AP Scholars with Distinction: Awarded to students who earned an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

In addition to individual subject honors, Floyd County students excelled in the prestigious AP Capstone program, an innovative diploma program focusing on college-level research, analysis, and collaboration:

• 26 AP Capstone Diplomas: Awarded to students who earned scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research, as well as on four additional AP Exams of their choosing.
• 36 AP Seminar and Research Certificates: Awarded to students who earned scores of 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research.

In total, Floyd County students completed 1,032 exams this year.

“These results are a testament to the hard work of our students and the dedication of our educators at all levels,” said FCS Superintendent Dr. Glenn White. “Seeing 69% of our students earn college credit shows that our schools are preparing students for the next level from Pre-K to 12th grade. We could not be prouder of our 215 AP Scholars and the entire AP student body.”

Floyd County Schools remains committed to expanding access to rigorous AP coursework and strengthening student preparation efforts—ensuring every graduate is equipped for success beyond high school.

About Floyd County Schools

The Floyd County School System (FloydBOE.net) is dedicated to providing exceptional educational opportunities that promote academic excellence for all students. Floyd County educators combine a strong focus on core academics with innovative teaching methods to create a solid foundation for lifelong learning.

Floyd County Schools offer comprehensive academic programs designed to prepare students for success in college, technical education, and a wide range of post-secondary pathways. Guided by its mission to foster productive citizens, the district is built on the cornerstones of integrity, community, accountability, and trust.

Located in Rome, Georgia, the Floyd County School System proudly serves 16 schools across the district.

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