October 16, 2025 — The October Board of Education meeting highlighted Cobb student achievements and performance on the SAT and ACT assessments. As in previous years, the results show Cobb students continue to outperform their peers in both areas.

The District's Chief Strategy and Accountability Officer, John Floresta, presented the most recent data, which shows Cobb students leading the way in ACT and SAT scores, as well as graduation rates. 

This year's graduation rate of 89.2% is a record high, representing a 7.8 percentage point increase since 2015. Floresta also explained the complete picture of how graduation rates continue to climb when students are enrolled in the district for all four years of high school. In 2025, 92.1% of Cobb students who enrolled for at least one year graduated. Students who enrolled for four years graduated at a 99.2% rate, highlighting the dedication that teachers, staff, and administrators invest in students every day at school. 

“Since 2015, you have been responsible for more than 100,000 students crossing graduation stages and entering the workforce—students who are now adults, many of whom are the backbone of Cobb County today," Floresta explained.

Board members also heard about the district's continued achievements in SAT scores. Cobb Schools achieved the highest average SAT scores in the metro area, with an average score of 1116 out of a possible 1600. This means Cobb students outperformed their peers from Atlanta Public Schools, DeKalb County Schools, Fulton County Schools, and Marietta City Schools on average when taking the SATs. The district's average increased by 11 points, with 480 more students taking the SAT compared to the previous year.

ACT scores also remained strong, continuing to soar above the state and national averages once again. On average, Cobb students scored 23.7 out of a maximum of 36 on the ACT for 2025, compared to Georgia's average of 21.4 and the national average of 19.4. Cobb Students ranked higher than Atlanta Public Schools, DeKalb County Schools, Fulton County Schools, and Marietta City Schools once again.

For Cobb School Board Chair David Chastain, the record scores and student success demonstrate why he proudly calls Cobb home:

"As someone who’s seen so many Cobb students grow up, graduate, and do amazing things, these numbers mean so much more than just data. Each diploma represents a young person who’s ready to step into the world—whether it’s a job, college, or a trade—with the skills they need to succeed."

When it comes to Georgia Milestones, Cobb schools ranked #1 among metro districts in key high school content areas, including American Literature, math (grades 6–8), Algebra, Biology, and U.S. History. 

During the presentation, Floresta also used data from the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement website, Georgia Schools Like Mine, which offers interactive tools that allow parents, educators, and community members to compare their schools to others with similar demographics, characteristics, and performance. 

As a highlighted example, Sprayberry High School outperformed comparable schools—North Atlanta, Mountain View, and Lanier—with the highest SAT score of 1060.

Superintendent Reaffirms Support for Educators While Condemning Inappropriate Social Media Conduct

During Superintendent Chris Ragsdale's remarks, he reiterated his strong support for Cobb educators while addressing recent concerns over a small number of staff disciplined for social media posts celebrating political violence. He emphasized that such behavior is inconsistent with professional ethics and the trust families place in educators, reaffirming that political violence will never be tolerated in Cobb Schools.

To hear the superintendent's full remarks, watch here:

Cobb County Public Safety Appreciation Week

The school board also honored the Cobb County School Police Department’s 80 highly trained officers, including the district’s Vapor Wake dogs. The Vapor Wake K9 teams provide an additional layer of protection to keep students and staff safe. 

Board Recognitions

2025-2026 Classified Employee of the Year, Elementary School Level – Ashley Talton, Compton Elementary School

2025-2026 Classified Employee of the Year, Middle School Level – Shawn Hall, Awtrey Middle School

2025-2026 Classified Employee of the Year, High School Level – Adonica Bailey, Cobb Horizon High School

National School Bus Safety Week – October 20-24, 2025

Cobb County School District Bus Driver Appreciation Week – October 20-24, 2025 

 Cobb County Public Safety Appreciation Week – October 6-10, 2025