Clayton County touts Class of 2026 gains: 3,684 graduates, $22.5M in scholarships and new literacy funding
May 26, 2026 | Clayton County, School Districts, Georgia
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Clayton County Public Schools on May 26 highlighted the Class of 2026 results and district academic work during the regular Board of Education meeting.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Douglas Hendricks told the board the district has strengthened literacy initiatives and forged partnerships to expand student opportunities. "In the last 100 days, we have strengthened literacy efforts… We've secured a major literacy funding from the United Way of Atlanta in the amount of $4.5 million," he said, listing district literacy and partnership efforts and new programs such as the Delta Discovery Center and expanded Junior Achievement work.
District leaders reported the Class of 2026 included 3,684 graduates. Dr. Dunn, who presented the post‑secondary report, said the class earned a reported $22.5 million in scholarship awards and 5,331 college acceptances (the district’s metric counts multiple acceptances per student). "Please join me in giving a round of applause again to our 3,684 graduates from Clayton County," Dr. Dunn said.
Board discussion clarified metrics: the 5,331 figure represents total acceptances (many students applied to multiple institutions). Administrators said the district has expanded career and technical education pathways and entrepreneurship supports — noting Perry Career Academy’s strength in entrepreneurship — and increased AP recognitions by more than 51 percent year‑over‑year.
Hendricks also told the board finance developments showing the district will present a balanced budget without pulling from fund balance — an item discussed in later budget presentations — and praised staff for work on the new convocation center and graduation activities.
Why it matters: Graduation outcomes and scholarship totals are used by the district to benchmark college and career readiness and to demonstrate progress on strategic goals. The reported increases in scholarship dollars, acceptances and AP performance were presented as evidence the district’s literacy, advisement and career programs are having measurable effect.
Ending: District leaders said they will continue monitoring individual graduation plans, advising and documentation in Infinite Campus to ensure that students’ post‑secondary plans are tracked and supported.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Douglas Hendricks told the board the district has strengthened literacy initiatives and forged partnerships to expand student opportunities. "In the last 100 days, we have strengthened literacy efforts… We've secured a major literacy funding from the United Way of Atlanta in the amount of $4.5 million," he said, listing district literacy and partnership efforts and new programs such as the Delta Discovery Center and expanded Junior Achievement work.
District leaders reported the Class of 2026 included 3,684 graduates. Dr. Dunn, who presented the post‑secondary report, said the class earned a reported $22.5 million in scholarship awards and 5,331 college acceptances (the district’s metric counts multiple acceptances per student). "Please join me in giving a round of applause again to our 3,684 graduates from Clayton County," Dr. Dunn said.
Board discussion clarified metrics: the 5,331 figure represents total acceptances (many students applied to multiple institutions). Administrators said the district has expanded career and technical education pathways and entrepreneurship supports — noting Perry Career Academy’s strength in entrepreneurship — and increased AP recognitions by more than 51 percent year‑over‑year.
Hendricks also told the board finance developments showing the district will present a balanced budget without pulling from fund balance — an item discussed in later budget presentations — and praised staff for work on the new convocation center and graduation activities.
Why it matters: Graduation outcomes and scholarship totals are used by the district to benchmark college and career readiness and to demonstrate progress on strategic goals. The reported increases in scholarship dollars, acceptances and AP performance were presented as evidence the district’s literacy, advisement and career programs are having measurable effect.
Ending: District leaders said they will continue monitoring individual graduation plans, advising and documentation in Infinite Campus to ensure that students’ post‑secondary plans are tracked and supported.
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