After increasing its graduation rate from 2014 to 2015, Richmond County public schools took a step back in 2016. According to the Georgia Department of Education, 76.7 percent of Richmond County students graduated in 2016 – down from 77.6 percent in 2015. In Columbia County, 89 percent of students graduated, up from 87.6 percent a year ago. Statewide, Georgia graduated 79.2 percent of its students last year. read more