Walker students return to class on Thursday

ROSSVILLE, Georgia (WDEF) – Walker county students flooded back into school today.

1,293 students poured through the doors of Ridgeland high school this morning for the first day of school.

Freshman students were getting orientation and tours of the campus.

This year, juniors can begin attending classes at Georgia Northwestern College and graduate with a certificate in one of several fields.

“They’re actually able to pick and get a certification in HVAC, in coding, in automotive, in welding, and healthcare, so that’s a really exciting program that Georgia Northwestern and our businesses have partnered, to allow that to be available for our students, here at Ridgeland and at LaFayette.”

Karen Hughes says the graduation rate at Ridgeland High School improved again last year above the 90.8% from 2016, and they’re hoping for even more improvement again this year.