DUBLIN, Ga. — According to the Georgia Department of Education, Dublin City School's Class of 2023's overall four-year graduation rate was their highest ever at 97.7%.
In the past ten years, the district has increased the rate from 73.6% to 97.7%.
Catina Puckett's been with the district for about 20 years, and she's been the principal of Moore Street School for the past five years.
In 2015, the graduation rate at Moore Street School was 16.7%. Today, it's 93.3%.
Puckett contributes that success to her staff that she says goes above and beyond to pour into students.
"We love the kids first, and we teach second," Puckett said.
Moore Street School is an alternative school for students who need extra help with behavior or academics. Puckett said education and behavior go hand in hand, and they try to get to the root cause of behavioral problems with students at her school.
"We've learned over time that when you build relationships with students, they will work hard for you. And not only will they work hard for you, but building those relationships with the students- it helps them. It gives them stability. They know that they're going to have trusted adults that's going to show up every day for them," she said.
Puckett said they have multiple options to meet students where they're at because learning isn't one size fits all.
"We're able to use our charter flexibility to be really innovative, and among those innovations, we have flexible scheduling. We offer evening school," Puckett said.
Ben Lanier is the CEO of Dublin City Schools College and Career Academy, and he said he's proud of the systems they have in place that produce results.
"I think we are probably at the best moment we've ever been as a school system, and we're only gonna get better," Lanier said.
He said helping students find their passions and goals for post-graduation is what helps them get to the finish line.
"Our graduation rate is incredible. It means that students come to Dublin High School and they know that the high school is not their final destination. This is just a means to an end to their career," he said.
He helps inspire kids to dream beyond graduation by partnering with industry professionals who show them what they can look forward to if they keep up with school.
"We see with kids, it's a lot better to show them than to tell them," Lanier said.
Puckett said at the end of the day, it's about more than just getting good grades.
"We want to give the kids the tools they need to be successful, not only in school because this is bigger than just academics. This is, this is their life. We're preparing them for life," she said.
To mark the record numbers, Dublin City Schools is inviting local businesses and families to join them in celebrating the students. Green and gold bows are available at no cost to the first 200 people who complete this survey or call (478) 484-6554. They ask the community to proudly display the bow in recognition of the hard work from everybody.