Oconee’s graduation rate above state average

A state-issued report card gave Oconee public schools a grade of 81.5% for the district’s four-year graduation rate.  An announcement today from the school district indicates the 81.5% exceeds the state average.  The county’s four high schools ranked this way:  Tamassee-Salem, 71.7%; West-Oak High, at 76%; Seneca High School at 83.4%; and Walhalla, at 87.7%.  Those percentages prompted Dr. Michael Thorsland, county superintendent, to say, “If we are to achieve our goal, our first priority must be to reduce the number of students leaving the school system before they are ready.”