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Carroll County Schools named Cognia "System of Distinction"; district reports 97.7% graduation rate
Summary
Carroll County Schools announced it earned Cognia's global "System of Distinction" recognition and reported a 97.7% graduation rate for 2025, the highest among Georgia districts with three or more high schools. The superintendent's report also highlighted other rankings and school-level awards.
Carroll County Board of Education officials announced that Carroll County Schools has been named a "school system of distinction" by Cognia, an accreditation agency, and reported a 97.7% graduation rate for 2025, the district said.
Dr. Jessica Ainsworth, speaking on behalf of Superintendent Scott Cowart, told the board that the Cognia recognition was given to 35 systems worldwide this year and that Carroll County is the only district in Georgia to receive it. She said the district also received a six-year renewal from Cognia with a score of 365, above the Cognia network average of 296.
The recognition and accreditation score reflect what district officials described as "exceptional teaching and learning, strong leadership, and a dedication to enhancing the educational experience for all students." Ainsworth also reported the Georgia Department of Education's official 2025 graduation rate for Carroll County as 97.7 percent, which she said is the highest rate in the state among districts with three or more high schools and marks the eighth consecutive year the district's rate has exceeded 90 percent.
Ainsworth noted other external recognitions in the superintendent's report: Niche ranked Carroll County Schools 13th out of 176 Georgia districts, placing the district in the top 8 percent in that organization's ratings. The board was also named a 2025 Distinguished School Board by the Georgia School Boards Association for governance and transparency, Ainsworth said. Five elementary schools — Central, Ithaca, Providence and Rupaul elementary schools and Mount Zion Elementary — were singled out for performance or improvement; Mount Zion was named a 2025 Title I Reward School.
District staff framed the items as evidence of sustained instructional work across Carroll County Schools. The board did not take formal action related to the recognitions; the announcements were delivered as part of the superintendent's report.
