Rochester City School District
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 30, 2019
Editor Contact:
Carlos Garcia
585.262.8351 (o)
585.435.1296 (m)
STATEMENT ON 2018 GRADUATION RATES
The Rochester City School District has achieved its highest graduation rate in more than a decade. The New York State Education Department released its data for the 2018 graduating class showing Rochester’s four-year graduation rate was 53.5% in June and 59.3% in August. These are both the highest percentages since at least 2005 when the State began keeping more rigorous accountability standards.  

The District experienced an increase in August graduation rates from the previous year for all accountability sub-groups. This continues a trend of steady increase in graduation rates. Of note:
  • 3.3% decrease in Dropouts, from 21.6% to 18.3%.
  • 1.1% increase for Black students, from 58.6% to 59.7%.
  • 1.9% increase for English Language Learners, from 24.8% 26.7%.
  • 3.4% increase for Hispanic students, from 51.6% to 55.0%.
  • 5.3% increase for Students with Disabilities, from 36.4% to 41.7%.
  • 6.7% increase for White students, from 60.6% to 67.3%.

“While we have reason to celebrate today, we must maintain our laser-like focus on meeting the needs of every student," said Superintendent Barbara Deane-Williams. "We cannot afford to have one child slip through the cracks. It takes families, the community, and our schools working together to make sure our children succeed. I want to acknowledge all of those who have committed to our students, their success, and their futures,” she added.

These trends show the District is continuing to disrupt patterns of failure by keeping focus on every student by face and name to and through graduation. We intend to build on this positive trend to ensure every Rochester child is positioned to succeed and graduate on time.

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131 W. Broad Street, Rochester, NY 14614 | 585-262-8100