CCSD News 2026-2027

Columbia County 2026 Graduation Percentages

COLUMBIA COUNTY, GA – The Columbia County School District (CCSD) continues to see success with more than 93% of high school students from the Class of 2026 earning their high school diplomas.

The 2026 graduation rate of 93.75%is the highest graduation rate earned by a graduating class in the CCSD since 2011. Graduation rates reported by the Georgia Department of Education began using an adjusted cohort calculation in 2011.

The Class of 2026 graduation rate is 5.25 percentage points higher than the state average of 88.5%.

The dedicated staff of the CCSD works hard to encourage students to engage in their education and graduate on time. Through developing and implementing the CCSD’s Academic Curriculum for Excellence (ACE), and enhancing the CCSD High School Experience, students have learning options that begin in middle school with opportunities to earn high school credit. In high school, students can enrich their academic experiences through a growing number of CTAE pathways and work-based learning opportunities, dual enrollment courses offered at each high school campus, more rigorous Advanced Placement course offerings, the IB Diploma Programme, as well as athletics and fine arts programs.

Overall, this outstanding accomplishment is a picture of the hard work and dedication of our staff, students, and their families. Congratulations to the graduating class of 2026.

Columbia County School District SAT Scores Reach Highest Level in Four Years
District Average Surpasses 1100, Outpaces State and National Averages

The Columbia County School District is celebrating a major academic milestone as newly released SAT results show the district’s average score climbed to 1105 during the 2025-2026 school year.

The 17-point increase places Columbia County students significantly ahead of the state and nation. CCSD students scored an impressive 74 points above the Georgia average and 94 points above the national average.

This increase is a picture of our students', teachers ', and parents’ hard work around academic rigor, high expectations, and expanded opportunities available through CCSD’s High School Experience. This includes access to advanced coursework, career pathways, dual enrollment opportunities across each of our five high school campuses, industry certifications, fine arts programs, athletics, and other opportunities that prepare students for success beyond high school.

While celebrating this achievement, district leaders remain focused on continuing this momentum and creating even more opportunities for students to challenge themselves academically.

The Columbia County School District, again, extends its congratulations to the students, educators, administrators, families, and support staff whose dedication and commitment made this milestone possible.

Graphic of stats listed above

October 1, 2026: Heather Cottingham named 2027 CCSD Teacher of the Year (Click Here)

Heather Cottingham named 2027 CCSD Teacher of the Year

Heather Cottingham - 2027Teacher of the year Grovetown Elementary School We are pleased to announce that Heather Cottingham from Grovetown Elementary School has been named the 2027 Columbia County School District Teacher of the Year.

Ms. Cottingham is an Early Intervention Program and English Language Learner teacher.

Ms. Cottingham will now represent all the incredible educators across the Columbia County School District at the state competition in the running for Georgia Teacher of the Year.

Special thanks to our partners in education for providing generous donations of gifts for our winner and all of our teachers of the year. The top prize is a free one-year lease of a BMW 228 Coupe Sedan, courtesy of Taylor BMW. The car also comes with complimentary insurance on behalf of Acrisure Insurance, and a $1,000 gas gift card, compliments of Affordable Auto Insurance.

Thanks to our sponsors and congratulations to the 2026 CCSD Teacher of the Year, Ms. Cottingham.

Read more about Ms. Cottingham and the Teacher of the Year program at www.ccboe.net/TOTY/.

September 3, 2026 - Lakeside High School Ribbon Cutting (Click Here)

Celebrating a new chapter in Lakeside High School history

Students, staff, alumni, families, community members, and local leaders gathered to celebrate the completion of Lakeside High School's multi-year renovation and modernization project with a special ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, September 3, 2026.

From modern classrooms and science labs to a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center, expanded CTAE spaces, updated athletic facilities, and enhanced safety features, these improvements reflect our community's ongoing commitment to student success and educational excellence.

This project is more than a building transformation. It is an investment in the future of our students and a promise to provide learning environments that inspire achievement, creativity, and connection for generations to come.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this vision a reality and to our students, staff, and families for their patience throughout construction. We are proud to celebrate this milestone together as we continue Keeping the Promise of CCSD.

Check out highlights in the news from this memorable celebration:

The Augusta Press: Lakeside High School celebrates completion of major campus transformation

Augusta Chronicle: Lakeside High School officially cuts the ribbon on new facilities

Augusta Chronicle: Inside Lakeside High's new facilities at ribbon cutting | PHOTOS

WRDW/Channel 12: Lakeside High School debuts upgrades with ribbon-cutting

WFXG/Fox54: Lakeside High school Modernization

WJBF/Channel 6: Lakeside H.S. holds ribbon cutting following major renovations

Augusta Good News: Lakeside High School unveils new construction upgrades

More pictures of Lakeside High School celebration (Click Here)

People on a stage holding and cutting a blue ribbon

large room with items and chairs on tables

Columbia County Board of Education Approves Rollback Rate for Second Year (Click Here)

Columbia County Board of Education Approves Rollback Rate for Second Year

The Columbia County Board of Education approved the 2026 digest rollback millage rate of 14.997 mills during its Regular Session Meeting on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. This decision marks the sixth consecutive year the Board has reduced the millage rate, and the second year in a row it has adopted the rollback rate.
Over the past several years, the Board has demonstrated a consistent commitment to fiscal responsibility through a steady decline from 18.30 mills in 2020 to 14.997 mills in 2026, with reductions as follows:

2026: 14.997 mills
2025: 16.234 mills
2024: 17.10 mills
2023: 17.20 mills
2022: 17.35 mills
2021: 18.10 mills
2020: 18.30 mills

Each summer, the Board of Education meets to determine the appropriate millage rate to support the school district’s adopted fiscal year budget, which is primarily funded through a combination of state allocations and local property tax revenues.

The Columbia County School District remains committed to using these funds in a fiscally conservative manner while continuing to provide a high-quality education for all students. The district’s mission is to engage, enrich, and inspire students every day, and this financial stewardship reflects the community’s shared dedication to student success in a safe and supportive environment.

New Teachers are Pathway Success Story (Click Here)

New Teachers are Pathway Success Story

August 4, 2026 - As school districts across Georgia and the nation face a growing demand for qualified educators, the Columbia County School District is building a pipeline of future teachers from within its own classrooms.

This year, four former CCSD students have returned to the district as teachers, fulfilling a commitment they made as high school seniors to pursue careers in education and return to serve their community.

Their journey began in CCSD's Teaching as a Profession Pathway (TAPP), a three-year program offered at all five high schools that introduces students to the teaching profession through hands-on learning experiences. Through the district's participation in Teach in the Peach, graduating seniors publicly commit to careers in education, with CCSD guaranteeing participants an interview upon earning the required degree and certification.

Supported by scholarships from the CCSD Foundation and a partnership with Augusta University, the district is creating opportunities for aspiring educators while helping address workforce needs. As these new teachers begin their careers, they will receive ongoing support through CCSD's New Teacher Mentor Program, which provides coaching, resources, and guidance during their first years in the classroom.

The success of these four educators demonstrates CCSD's commitment to growing and retaining high-quality teachers, ensuring students have access to exceptional instruction while creating opportunities for graduates to return and serve the community that helped shape them.

Four former CCSD students and graduates of the CCSD and completers of the Teaching as a Profession Pathway began the first day of school as new teachers. Pictured from left: Ms. SheKinah Bennett, first-grade teacher at Grovetown Elementary School; Ms. Victoria Pearson, 6th-grade math teacher at Greenbrier Middle School; Ms. Bailey Ledbetter, first-grade teacher at Martinez Elementary School; and Ms. Gracie Sidener, third-grade teacher at River Ridge Elementary School.

CCSD Students Achieve Outstanding Success on Advanced Placement Exams (Click Here)

CCSD Students Achieve Outstanding Success on Advanced Placement Exams

The Columbia County School District held its inaugural Advanced Placement Excellence Award ceremony on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Greenbrier High School to recognize the outstanding teachers and school leaders whose efforts have contributed to outstanding student success on 2026 Advanced Placement (AP) exams.

The recognition comes as the district celebrates a milestone achievement in which 81% of students who took AP exams in 2026 earned a score of 3 or higher, reflecting both increased participation and sustained academic excellence. Over the past four years, the percentage of tests taken by students earning a qualifying AP score has continually increased from 55% to 81%, while participation has grown significantly, by almost 2,000 more exams taken during that time, to more than 5,200 AP exams taken this year.

Research shows that students who participate in Advanced Placement courses are better prepared for the rigor of college and post-secondary education. Regardless of exam scores, AP courses provide valuable experiences that help students develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed for future success.

The district's continued growth in AP achievement reflects its commitment to expanding rigorous academic opportunities and preparing students for college, careers, and life beyond graduation.

Evans High School

Evans High School was recognized as having the highest three-year increase in the percentage
of Advanced Placement exams earning scores of 3 or higher. Evans High School increased their
percentage of students scoring 3 or higher by 13% over a 3-year period to 83%.

Pictured from left: Accepting the award on behalf of all of the AP teachers at Evans High School is
Evans High School Principal Wade White; Evans High School Assistant Principal and Advanced
Studies Coordinator Russell James; and Associate Superintendent of School Improvement Steve
Cummings, during the inaugural CCSD Advanced Placement Excellence Award Ceremony, held at
Greenbrier High School on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

Harlem High School

Harlem High School was recognized for the highest three-year increase in total advanced
placement exams. Harlem High School increased their total exams by 27% over a three-year
period.

Pictured from left: Accepting the award on behalf of all the AP teachers at Harlem High School, is
Harlem High School Assistant Principal Dr. Joe Lott; with Associate Superintendent of School
Improvement Steve Cummings, during the inaugural CCSD Advanced Placement Excellence Award
Ceremony, held at Greenbrier High School on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

Greenbrier High School

Greenbrier High School was recognized for the highest percentage of Advanced Placement exams earning 3 or higher in 2026. Greenbrier High School also had 90% of exams administered score a 3 or higher. Additionally, Greenbrier High School was also recognized as the school with the highest percentage of students to take at least one AP exam, at 40% of their student population.

Pictured from left: Accepting the award on behalf of all the AP teachers at Greenbrier High School, is Greenbrier High School Principal Dr. Mike Jones, and Assistant Principal and Advanced Studies Coordinator Alex Sickman; with Associate Superintendent of School Improvement Steve Cummings, during the inaugural CCSD Advanced Placement Excellence Award Ceremony, held at Greenbrier High School on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

Grovetown High School

Grovetown High School was recognized as the school with the highest one-year increase in the percentage of AP exams earning scores of 3 or higher, rising by 6% to 82%.

Pictured from left: Accepting the award on behalf of all the Grovetown High School AP teachers, is Grovetown High School Assistant Principal and Advanced Studies Coordinator Brian Levens; with Associate Superintendent of School Improvement Steve Cummings, during the inaugural CCSD Advanced Placement Excellence Award Ceremony, held at Greenbrier High School on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

Lakeside High School

Lakeside High School was recognized for the highest one-year increase in the total number of AP exams, with an increase of 20%, for a total of 1,518 exams.

Pictured from left: Accepting the award on behalf of all the Lakeside High School AP teachers, is Lakeside High School Principal Juliet King, and Assistant Principal and Advanced Studies Coordinator Tyneshia Tolbert; with Associate Superintendent of School Improvement Steve Cummings, during the inaugural CCSD Advanced Placement Excellence Award Ceremony, held at Greenbrier High School on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

Advanced Placement Master Teacher Award Winner – Tracy Roden

Ms. Roden had the highest average AP score in a single subject with at least 50 students taking exams in 2026. Additionally, she had 108 students take the AP Government exam with an average score of 4.2.

Advanced Placement Novice Master Teacher Award Winner – Stephanie Frey, Greenbrier High School

Ms. Frey was recognized as an AP Novice Master Teacher, a teacher with three or fewer years of experience teaching AP, with the highest average AP score in a single subject. Ms. Frey had 73 students take the AP Pre-Calculus exam with an average score of 4.5.

CCSD News 2026-2027

Columbia County 2026 Graduation Percentages

Columbia County School District SAT Scores Reach Highest Level in Four YearsDistrict Average Surpasses 1100, Outpaces State and National Averages

Columbia County School District SAT Scores Reach Highest Level in Four Years
District Average Surpasses 1100, Outpaces State and National Averages