Rochester City School District graduation rate drops

Posted at: 06/11/2012 3:05 PM | Updated at: 06/11/2012 6:12 PM
By: Ray Levato | WHEC.com

Rochester has the lowest graduation rates out of the largest city school district across the state. The new numbers came out Monday afternoon. Fewer than half of Rochester City School students graduate on time.

Statewide, graduation rates are up, from 73.4% and to 74%. But in Rochester, graduation rates fell. Only 45.5% of students who started their freshman year in 2007, graduated on time in 2011. That’s down from 46.1% of students who graduated on time in 2010. 

The state allows school districts to also include their August graduates, students who take summer classes to get their diploma and in the city, that puts the 2011 graduate rate a bit higher at 49%, but still a drop from 51% in 2010. 

Superintendent Bolgen Vargas chose School Without Walls to announce the recent numbers. The graduation rate at School Without Walls jumped 18%. The top city school was School of the Arts with a 90% graduate rate. Superintendent Vargas says there’s no secret. Music and art help make school interesting for kids. He hopes to replicate that at other city schools.

Vargas said, “The reality is we’re not doing the best that we can. We need to do better. And no one would argue that this result is unacceptable. And that's why we're taking serious action to make sure that not only we graduate students but get them ready for college and careers.” 

Charlotte and Monroe High Schools had the lowest graduation rates, 34% and 33% respectively.

Big five city school districts in the state

Buffalo: 54% 

New York City: 60.9%

Rochester: 45.5%
 
Syracuse: 48.4%

Yonkers: 66.2%

On-Time Graduation Rates for Schools in Monroe County

Greece Arcadia - 77.7%
Greece Athena - 82.3%
Greece Odyssey - 97.4%
Greece Olympia - 79.6%
Brighton - 91.6%
Brockport - 81.8%
Churchville-Chili - 94.2%
East Rochester - 85.7%
East Irondequoit - 90.1%
Fairport - 95.2%
Gates-Chili - 85.0%
Hilton - 89.6%
Honeoye Falls-Lima - 97.1%
West Irondequoit - 92.5%
Penfield - 95.4%
Pittsford Sutherland - 97.6%
Pittsford Mendon - 98.8%
Rush Henrietta - 82.6%
Spencerport - 90.8%
Webster Thomas - 93.0%
Webster Schroeder - 91.0%
Wheatland Chili - 95.1%

To see the report and to find rates for other districts, click here.

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