Sequoyah High School's graduation rate is the third lowest in the county after a new, more-accurate method of calculation, the "adjusted cohort rate," was used by the Department of Education, according to a CCSD press release.

The new method of calculation is dependent on data over an extended time period, according to a release.

CCSD officials also said that the new science and math-centered curriculum requires students who struggle in that area to take support classes. Those extra classes make it more difficult for students to accumulate the credits needed for graduation.

Also under the new cohort adjustment calculation, special education students who graduate in five or six years count against the four-year graduation rate percent, according to the release.

Students who transfer without proper documentation are also considered to be dropouts.

 The new results for Cherokee County schools follows: 

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