Superintendent Pierorazio Announces That High School Graduation Rates Rise, Marking Three Years Of Gains

Superintendent of Schools Bernard P. Pierorazio announced that Yonkers’ four-year high school graduation rate rose to a new high of 62.2 percent in 2008, outperforming New York’s Big 5 cities schools (New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers) according to the State Education Department, which released the data on June 22.  The graduation rate rose 9.8 percent between 2005 and 2008, a continuous rise since Superintendent Pierorazio took over the school district.  

During the 2005 through 2008 period, the graduation gap between white students and black students decreased by 5 percent and between white students and Hispanic students a significant narrowing of the gap by 13 percent.  The dropout rate declined by 4 percent.  The graduation rate increased by 11 percent for those students who remained enrolled in high school for five years.

The State Education Department reported Yonkers’ four-year graduation rate in 2008 was 62.2 percent, which includes students who graduated in August after completing their remaining requirements.  The five-year graduation rate rose to 68 percent in 2008 from 65 percent in 2007.

“The steady increase in our graduation rate demonstrates that the programs we have implemented in our high schools are reaping results,” according to Superintendent Pierorazio.  “Students are earning their diplomas through extended learning opportunities and credit recovery programs.  We are about to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2009, and I am confident we will continue to see gains in our graduation rate.”