GCPS Class of 2016

After 13 years of hard work during their K-12 academic careers, more than 11,600 seniors are preparing to walk across the stage to receive their high school diploma from Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS). The Class of 2016, boasting a potential 11,645 high school graduates, is GCPS’ largest and most decorated to date.

“We salute the Class of 2016 and all of their accomplishments,” says CEO/Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks. “Graduation is a special time in a student’s K-12 academic career. It is a big moment for these students, their families, and the school district. This year’s graduates are among the best prepared of any graduating class and we expect that they will achieve great things. We wish them well as they move on to the next chapter of their lives, knowing they are ready for the future. These students have worked hard for their diploma and the honors they have achieved… however, they were not alone on the journey. With that in mind, I congratulate the families of our graduates and the many teachers who helped to shape the lives of these students… working together you have encouraged, engaged and energized the Class of 2016.”

The senior report for the Class of 2016 shows that:

• 83% of the students graduating this year report that they plan to continue their education by attending college or postsecondary schools. The vast majority, or 85% of them, plans to attend college in Georgia.
• The seniors who plan to continue their education have been offered, as of April of 2016, nearly $153 million in academic, athletic, and military scholarships.
• The majority of the scholarship amount, more than $97.3 million, was earned for academic achievement. Gwinnett students also received nearly $49 million in athletic scholarships, and nearly $6.7 million due to military appointments. The monetary awards do not include scholarships associated with HOPE, QuestBridge, the Broad Scholars, or the Gates Millennium Scholars Program.
• As of May of 2016, a record 18 Gwinnett seniors had earned full scholarships through the Gates Millennium Scholars Program. In addition, 18 students received full scholarships through the QuestBridge College Match Program.
• A record 17 GCPS students received military appointments. They are:

• Mill Creek High will graduate the largest class this year with 890 students, closely followed by Brookwood High with 810, and Peachtree Ridge High with a potential 757 graduates.

• The Class of 2016 also includes 3,033 Honor Graduates, who are graduating with a grade percent average of 90 or better.
• During their high school career, 6,625 seniors took Advanced Placement (AP) courses and 3,206 scored a 3 or above on the AP Exam.
• While members of the Class of 2016 were working on their high school diploma, 577 of them also earned college credit through dual enrollment.

Congratulations to the highest ranking students in each high school, those earning the title of valedictorian or salutatorian. They are:

  The graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2016 will take place as follows: