The Schenectady City School District’s graduation rate inched upward last year, reflecting small gains seen across the state.
The percentage of students graduating within four years increased from 57 percent in 2008-2009 to 59 percent in 2009-2010. The Greater Amsterdam School District increased by 1 percentage point to 63 percent.
Statewide, the graduation rate is 73.4 percent, which is a small increase from 71.8 percent the previous year. However, the rate is still much lower for minorities. For African-Americans, the rate is nearly 58 percent — an increase of two points over the previous year. It increased 2.5 percent for Hispanics to about 57 percent. The gap between white and black students has narrowed during the last five years.
Education Commissioner David M. Steiner said while there is improvement, too many students are graduating with only a local diploma.
“To help ensure that more students graduate high school prepared for the rigors of work and higher education, the department will work closely with schools and districts to implement the Regents reform agenda — an agenda with the straightforward goal of closing the gap and lifting the level of achievement for all students,” he said in a statement.
For a variety of statistics on each school district, click here.
Graduation rates
A look at 2008-09 graduation rates (percent of freshmen who entered school in fall 2005 and earned diploma by August 2009) and the 2009-2010 rate (entered as freshmen in fall 2006, earned diploma by August of last year):
ALBANY COUNTY
District 2008-09 2009-10
Albany 54% 50%
Guilderland 92% 94%
North Colonie 91% 90%
South Colonie 87% 87%
FULTON COUNTY
District 2008-09 2009-10
Broadalbin-Perth 89% 91%
Gloversville 71% 66%
Johnstown 81% 81%
Mayfield 84% 83%
Northville 84% 78%
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
District 2008-09 2009-10
Amsterdam 62% 63%
Canajoharie 81% 84%
Fonda-Fultonville 84% 90%
Fort Plain 83% 89%
Saint Johnsville 86% 67%
SARATOGA COUNTY
District 2008-09 2009-10
Ballston Spa 82% 87%
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake 93% 93%
Corinth 75% 81%
Galway 82% 88%
Mechanicville 78% 83%
Saratoga Springs 89% 86%
Schuylerville 90% 93%
Shenendehowa 89% 93%
South Glens Falls 79% 84%
Stillwater 88% 89%
Waterford-Halfmoon 85% 84%
SCHENECTADY COUNTY
District 2008-09 2009-10
Duanesburg 95% 87%
Mohonasen 79% 82%
Niskayuna 93% 93%
Schalmont 87% 83%
Schenectady 57% 59%
Scotia-Glenville 81% 84%
SCHOHARIE COUNTY
District 2008-09 2009-10
Cobleskill-Richmondville 88% 83%
Middleburgh 86% 86%
Schoharie 80% 72%
Sharon Springs 100% 92%
Source: State Education Department
Categories: Schenectady County
