New figures out from the State Education Department show Syracuse City schools had their highest graduation rates in a decade. The data shows 64.5% of students that entered in 2015 graduated High School.
That’s up two percent over the previous year and more than 15% better than 10 years ago. Superintendent Jaime Alicea credits teamwork.
“Our teachers are doing an excellent job working with our kids; we’re getting more parents engaged in their education…. We have career and technical education in all the high schools so our kids are getting engaged from 9th grade on, following a pathway so they can graduate from high school. … So it’s working together.”
The actual graduation rate will go higher, since some students in the same group will finish in January or June. He also says that while the increase is exciting, there’s plenty of room to grow to reach a target of 90-percent graduation. Alicea further points out the role community groups have, such as faith organizations, when they encourage school success.
“We have many faith … institutions in the city of Syracuse and when they’re all together, delivering the same message about the importance of education, the importance of working together, there are many different ways that they can support our kids. I think that will help the kids stay in school, be focused and graduate from High School.”
The statewide average for all schools, including urban, rural and suburban districts, was 83.4% graduation.
