Nearly 10,000 GCPS Students to Graduate This Week

In Gwinnett County, 9,843 students are expected to graduate from the county's 21 public high schools.

This year's graduating class, described as the largest ever according to Gwinnett County Public Schools, was also an accomplished according to CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks.

“As a community, we can be proud of these students and what they have achieved during their academic careers," Wilbanks said in a released statement.

"We are especially pleased with the number of Gwinnett graduates who earned their place among the country’s most prestigious academic ranks, including 10 National Merit Scholars (and there may be more), 15 National Achievement Scholars, and 26 Georgia Scholars. Full-tuition grants were awarded to 11 Gates Millennium Scholars and three Questbridge Scholars. Congratulations to these and all of the graduates in the Class of 2012!”

and High Schools will hold their graduation Wednesday, May 23rd at their respective stadiums. Archer's begins at 8pm and Central Gwinnett at 7pm. 's graduation will also be held Wednesday at 5pm at the Gwinnett Center Grand Ballroom. 's ceremony will take place Thursday May 24th at the Gwinnett Center Arena. Phoenix High School's graduation will take place Monday, May 21 at 7pm at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center.

According to GCPS, 86 percent of graduating students plan to continue their education by attending college or postsecondary schools. This year's graduating class has been offered more than $101 million in scholarships with the majority -- $67.8 million -- awarded for academic achievement (not including HOPE or Gates Millennium Scholarships).

Student athletes earned more than $28.7 million in athletic scholarships, and 13 seniors earned more than $5 million in military academy appointment scholarships.
 
This year's graduating class also includes 2,050 honor graduates who will graduate with a grade percentage average of 90 or higher.

Do you know someone graduating from high school or college this year? Congratulate them with a free Lawrenceville Patch graduation announcement. You can also upload photos of your grad on our Pics and Clips page.