More than 11,100 students to receive a GCPS diploma

The 11,130 high school seniors will walk across the stage this week as the school district congratulates the Class of 2015, the largest and most decorated to date. 

“We salute the Class of 2015 and all that these students have accomplished,” says CEO/Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks. “Graduation is the capstone of a student’s K-12 academic career. It is a big moment for these students, their families, and the school district. This is a highly decorated class in terms of scholarships and accomplishments. They are among the best prepared of any graduating class and many of them will continue their education, attending schools all over the world. We wish them well and congratulate them on their hard work and persistence, knowing they are ready for the future. And, while the focus is on the graduates at this time of year, I also would like to thank their families and the thousands of teachers who provided support and guidance to them throughout the years.”

The senior report for the Class of 2015 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 2015, nearly $155 million in academic, athletic, and military scholarships. 
•The majority of the scholarship amount, nearly $84.1 million, was earned for academic achievement. Gwinnett students also received more than $64.6 million in athletic scholarships, and nearly $6 million due to military appointments. The monetary awards do not include HOPE, the QuestBridge Scholarship recipients, the Broad Scholars, or the Gates Millennium Scholars. 
•As of May of 2015, 31 Gwinnett seniors earned a full scholarship through the QuestBridge College Match Program. Eight of the seniors are Berkmar High graduates. Thirteen Gwinnett students, including three from Meadowcreek High and a second group of three seniors from South Gwinnett High, will have their college career paid in full as Gates Millennium Scholars. And, as a result of GCPS being named a winner of the 2014 Broad Prize for Urban Education, 26 Gwinnett seniors will receive two- or four-year scholarships.
•15 students received military appointments.

The students are:

•Mill Creek High graduates the largest class this year with 799 students, closely followed by Brookwood High with 795, and Norcross High with 788 
•The Class of 2015 also includes 2,671 Honor Graduates, who are graduating with a grade percent average of 90 or better.
•During their high school career, 5,150 seniors took 12,408 Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
•While members of the Class of 2015 were working on their high school diploma, 459 of them also earned college credit through dual enrollment. 

Several of these honor students were recognized as the highest ranking students in their school, earning the title of valedictorian or salutatorian. They are:

The graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2015 will take place as follows: