News and Events

(AUGUSTA, GEORGIA) – Three Richmond County School System students have been selected to serve on State School Superintendent Richard Woods’ 2026-2027 Student Advisory Council, giving them an opportunity to represent student perspectives in conversations about education across Georgia. 

Justin Jones of the Academy of Richmond County, Makayla Harris of A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School and Donovan Stratford of Hephzibah Comprehensive High School were selected from 1,427 applicants statewide. They are among 84 students chosen to serve on the council this school year. 

“We are incredibly proud of Justin, Makayla and Donovan for earning the opportunity to represent their schools and the Richmond County School System at the state level,” Superintendent Dr. Malinda Cobb said. “Our students bring valuable perspectives to conversations about the future of education, and I am excited to see them use their voices, share their experiences and grow as leaders through this opportunity.” 

Throughout the school year, council members will meet with Woods to share their experiences, discuss education-related issues and provide feedback on how state policies affect students and their plans for the future. 

Council members will also serve as ambassadors for the state superintendent and complete service projects benefiting their schools and communities. The projects are designed to give students opportunities to put their ideas into action, develop leadership skills and address needs they see in their communities. 

Students in grades 10-12 were invited to apply for the council by responding to essay questions about challenges in education, experiences that have shaped their perspectives, issues they would like to discuss with the state superintendent and ideas for a service project. Members were selected based on the strength of their responses and the goal of representing rural, suburban and urban communities across Georgia. 

The council’s first meeting of the 2026-2027 school year will be held in October at the Georgia Department of Education offices in Atlanta. 

Field Trip Available During PowerUp Asynchronous Learning Day

Richmond County School System high school students will have an opportunity to get hands-on with artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced manufacturing technology when the Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM) Mobile Studio visits the Georgia Cyber Center at Augusta University on Thursday, October 8, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The 53-foot mobile studio brings advanced technology directly to students, allowing them to see, explore and interact with equipment and applications used in today’s technology and manufacturing industries.

Hands-on demonstrations will include:

• Robotic arms

• Drones

• A robotic dog

• 3D printers

• CNC machines

• Laser cutters

• Artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing applications

The Richmond County School System is providing field trip opportunities for interested high school students to participate during the school day. Students and families should contact their child’s school for information about availability, permission forms and other field trip details.

The experience is designed to give students interested in STEM, technology, engineering, manufacturing and artificial intelligence a closer look at how these technologies are used in the real world and the education and career pathways connected to them.

Attend with Your Family

The Georgia AIM Mobile Studio event is also free and open to the public. Families who are unable to participate through their child’s school or who would like to attend independently can register here. 

Event Details
Thursday, October 8
11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Georgia Cyber Center at Augusta University
Free to attend

(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%.