(AUGUSTA, GEORGIA) — The Richmond County School System (RCSS) reached a record-high graduation rate for the third consecutive year, with 84.2% of the Class of 2026 graduating within four years, according to data released Monday by the Georgia Department of Education.

“We talk often about getting 1% better every day and making steady, measurable progress for our students,” said Dr. Malinda Cobb, superintendent of schools. “These improvements come from students who stayed focused on their goals and the teachers, counselors, administrators, staff and families who supported them along the way. I am proud of what we have accomplished, and I know there is still more work ahead of us.”

The 2.5 percentage-point increase from 81.7% in 2025 reflects a school systemwide focus on identifying students’ needs early and providing targeted support. Through "cohort crews", school teams monitor attendance, behavior and course performance to identify students who may be off track for graduation. System-wide graduation audits and efforts led by high school Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) facilitators and graduation coaches help schools connect students with academic and social-emotional supports, credit recovery and additional instructional opportunities such as Summer Gap.

Seven RCSS high schools increased their graduation rates from the previous year. T.W. Josey Comprehensive High School recorded the largest gain, increasing 9.82 percentage points to 75.88%, followed by Lucy C. Laney Comprehensive High School, up 7.34 points to 81.32%, and George P. Butler Comprehensive High School, up 4.95 points to 83.25%. Hephzibah Comprehensive High School reached 87.55%, marking its fourth consecutive year of historic gains. Glenn Hills, the Academy of Richmond County and Westside comprehensive high schools also recorded increases.

A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School, John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School and Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School each maintained a 100% graduation rate, surpassing the state average of 88.5%.

 

(AUGUSTA, GA.) — The Richmond County Board of Education celebrated outstanding employees, welcomed a new instructional leader and advanced several school system priorities during its regular meeting Tuesday.

The Board recognized more than 140 employees, including the school system’s Top Five Teacher of the Year finalists, Distinguished GaLEADS Teachers, a Teach in the Peach educator, 87 teachers who earned professional certification and 55 Classified Employees of the Year. The Board also recognized the Human Resources Department for its work supporting employees.

The Board also welcomed Tiffany Burney as the school system’s new director of teaching and learning.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Malinda Cobb highlighted efforts to strengthen family engagement, encouraging families with questions or concerns to begin with their child’s teacher and school administration before seeking additional school system support when needed. Cobb also updated the Board on implementation of visitor guidelines. Schools are preparing communications for families, and additional training in de-escalation and customer service is planned for front-office employees.

The Board received an update on the school system’s Continuous Improvement Cycle, which provides information about the strategies, systems and outcomes used to measure academic growth and student achievement.

During its action agenda, the Board approved policies addressing employee leave and absences, bullying, student hearing procedures and public participation in Board meetings. A policy addressing employee tobacco use and vaping advanced for a 30-day public comment period.

The Board also approved its annual governance training report and plan and Form 179D related to energy-efficient improvements at the Academy of Richmond County. Dr. Caral Rountree and Clara Callaway were appointed to the Richmond County Board Advisory Committee.

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The “One to Watch” series is a monthly recognition awarded to induction teachers who have demonstrated effective teaching and classroom management practices, established a sense of community in their classrooms, created dynamic learning experiences, and demonstrated high levels of professionalism.

 

This month's “One to Watch” recipients are:

 

Kelly Linder, W. S. Hornsby Middle School

Kelly Linder is a sixth-grade social studies teacher at W. S. Hornsby Middle School and is in her first year with RCSS.

Before joining RCSS, Linder served in the U.S. Navy and later spent many years working in the criminal justice system. During that time, she encountered young people whose decisions had significantly changed the course of their lives. Those experiences ultimately inspired her to become a teacher and reach students before they face similar consequences.

“If I can reach one child and turn them away from a life of crime, then I have accomplished something great,” Linder said. “I want my students to always believe in themselves, keep dreaming and continue reaching beyond the stars.”

Some of Linder’s most rewarding moments come from reading her students’ writing assignments and learning about their dreams, hopes, and goals for the future. She also enjoys seeing their excitement during quiz bowls when they realize their studying and preparation have paid off.

 

 

Madison Pickett, C.T. Walker Traditional Magnet School

Kindergarten teacher Madison Pickett is in her first year at C.T. Walker Traditional Magnet School.

Before joining RCSS, Pickett attended Kennesaw State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. During her final year of college, she also completed a full-time student teaching experience in a kindergarten classroom, gaining valuable hands-on experience that helped prepare her to lead a classroom of her own.

Pickett chose to join the Richmond County School System because she wanted to give back to the community that helped shape her. Having grown up in Richmond County, she remembers the lasting impact her own teachers had on her and hopes to provide that same encouragement and support to her students.

“I wanted to pour back into the same community and school system that helped shape me,” Pickett said. “Many of my teachers made a lasting impact on my life, and I hope to have that same kind of positive impact on my own students.”

One of Pickett’s most rewarding experiences so far has been watching her students learn new concepts and then apply that knowledge independently. Even early in the school year, she has already seen significant growth in her students and finds it especially meaningful to watch them make connections, retain information, and build confidence in their learning.

 

 

Sanquetta Jackson, Lucy C. Laney Comprehensive High School

Sanquetta Jackson is a first-year English Language Arts (ELA) teacher at Lucy C. Laney Comprehensive High School.

Before joining RCSS, Jackson worked as a construction coordinator at the Savannah River Site with Savannah River Mission Completion. She also served in the United States Army before deciding to pursue a career that offered a renewed sense of purpose and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

For Jackson, becoming a teacher has allowed her to fulfill a long-held dream while building connections with students and colleagues. She credits the support of the ELA department, which she describes as being like a family, with helping make her transition into her first year in the classroom a smooth one.

“The best part is hearing my students actively engaged in the lesson and seeing the light bulb go on when they understand the standard being taught,” she said. “Being given the opportunity to pursue my dream and work with such amazing students has made this experience especially meaningful.”

Jackson said some of her most memorable moments have come from watching students become fully engaged in their learning and gain confidence as new concepts begin to make sense.

A Richmond County School System (RCSS) graduate returned home to celebrate the educators and relationships that helped shape her journey. Charm Mapp, an eighth-grade mathematics teacher at Clifton Ridge Middle School in Jones County, Georgia, visited Chef Kanesha Roberts at Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School. Mapp is the 2027 Georgia Teacher of the Year. Roberts, the 2026 RCSS Teacher of the Year, was also a finalist for the statewide honor.

The visit highlighted Mapp's path from RCSS student to statewide representative of Georgia educators. Mapp attended Spirit Creek Middle School and graduated from Hephzibah Comprehensive High School. She credits Eliza Hunt, Terry Jenkins and Mrs. Kimberly Stripling with teaching her that education is rooted in relationships. Their classrooms were places where learning was joyful, students felt safe, and confidence could grow.

Roberts recalled, "Charm and I actually started texting before we ever met in person. On the day of our interview, she was there competing for the exact same title I was, yet she calmed my nerves and encouraged me. That told me everything I needed to know about her heart."

Mapp's Teacher of the Year honor brought those lessons full circle. As a high school senior, she wrote a college application essay about her desire to become a teacher. Years later, Jenkins sat beside her at the Teacher of the Year gala and watched that goal become reality. The moment connected Mapp's achievement to the RCSS educators who first encouraged her to believe in herself.

At RCTCM, Mapp received another surprise when her former teacher, Mrs. Stripling, visited Roberts' classroom. Stripling also served as a judge during Roberts' RCSS Teacher of the Year process selecting Roberts as the district winner. The reunion offered a powerful reminder: When educators pour into students, their influence may extend far beyond one classroom or one generation.

The finalists may have started as competitors, but the group became a close-knit support system. Mapp visited the schools represented by fellow finalists to see their work firsthand. Her stop at RCTCM gave her an opportunity to watch Roberts share her passion and create "magic" with students. Mapp also brought banana pudding Oreo cookies after remembering Roberts' favorite dessert, a small gesture that reflected the compassion and thoughtfulness behind her leadership.

For Roberts, Mapp's story is especially meaningful because it gives current students an example that feels close to home. "You can come from right here and go anywhere," Roberts said. Mapp learned in RCSS classrooms and was encouraged by RCSS teachers. Today, she represents educators across Georgia and shows students that their own goals are within reach.

Mapp's advice to current and aspiring educators is simple: "Keep planting good seeds." Teachers may not immediately see the results, but students are always watching, learning, and carrying those lessons forward. It also reminds educators that their daily encouragement can help students discover talents, confidence, and purpose for themselves. Her journey reflects the lasting power of public education and the Richmond County School System's commitment to empowering every learner every day.