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The ��ʿ���� Class of 2021 achieved the school’s highest graduation rate in the 17 years of the state’s current accountability system, with 82% of the class earning diplomas in four years.

The State Education Department released its Wednesday. ��ʿ���� High’s rate increased from 73% in 2020, which had been the school’s highest rate since the state started measuring graduation under its current methodology in 2005.

“This continued progress in our collective efforts to increase the success rate for all of our students is a credit first and foremost to Principal Jodi Commerford, her building leadership team, and our dedicated faculty and staff,” said Superintendent Kaweeda G. Adams. 

“I also am so excited for our students and their families to see all of their hard work and commitment reflected in this deeply meaningful way, especially with the challenges and educational interruptions they have experienced throughout the pandemic.”

Graduation rates increased statewide in 2021, with an overall increase of 1.3% from 2020. The statewide average for 2021 was 86.1%. The 82% mark for ��ʿ���� High’s Class of 2021 represents a 12.3% increase from 2020.

It is the eighth year in a row that ��ʿ���� High’s graduation rate has increased or held steady. ��ʿ���� High's lowest graduation rate under the state’s current methodology was 50% for the Class of 2010. The 2021 graduation rate represents a 64% increase since then. 

��ʿ���� High’s 2021 graduation rate included a continued narrowing of the achievement gap between African-American students and White students. The graduation rate for African-American students increased 13 percentage points to 83%, compared to 87% for White students, a subgroup that also reflected a marked increase (8 percentage points). 

��ʿ���� High's Class of 2021 achieved growth in nearly all subgroups:

• Female students increased to 87% (+10)
• Male students increased to 77% (+8)
• African-American students increased to 83% (+13)
• White students increased to 87% (+8)
• Hispanic/Latino students increased to 72% (+3)
• English Language Learners increased to 75% (+30)
• Economically disadvantaged students increased to 77% (+8)
• Students with disabilities increased to 62% (+10)

The only student subgroup that did not increase in 2021 was the Asian/Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander subgroup, which dipped 1 percentage point to 83%.

An organization-wide effort

Superintendent Adams pointed to a number of factors district-wide that have contributed to ��ʿ���� High’s increase in graduation rates over the past decade. These include:

• The district’s ongoing commitment to full-day prekindergarten.
  • The district has offered full-day pre-K since 1990. In the 1999-2000 school year, the district offered 278 full-day 4-year-old pre-K seats. 
  • In the 2007-08 school year, when last summer’s graduates were first eligible for pre-K, the district offered 496 full-day 4-year-old seats.
  • The district now typically provides more than 1,000 pre-K seats for 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds annually (the effects of the pandemic limited this year’s overall pre-K enrollment to 784, with the reduction primarily in 3-year-old seats). 
• Enhanced focus on literacy and mathematics at all grade levels.
• The district’s long-term commitment to supporting students’ social-emotional and mental health needs, an investment that has increased further during the pandemic. 
• Expanding opportunities for more students to access the wide range of higher-level academic offerings at ��ʿ���� High, including Honors, Advanced Placement and University in the High School courses, and the International Baccalaureate program.
• Expanding opportunities for more students to access Honors-level ELA and math courses in middle school.
• Expanding access to acceleration and enrichment opportunities for students at the elementary level. 
• Maximizing technology to address and support student needs during the pandemic.
• Continued development of career and technical education pathways for students through ��ʿ���� High’s Abrookin Career and Technical Center.
• Incorporating STEM and hands-on project-based learning opportunities for students at all grade levels.

"The success and achievement that we celebrate in our increasing graduation rates for ��ʿ���� is a reflection of the efforts of our entire organization over many years,” Adams said. “Every individual in our organization plays a role in supporting our students every step of the way.

“I would like to recognize our elementary and middle school administrators, faculty and staff – and all of our support personnel throughout the organization – for their efforts to build a strong foundation for our students. As an organization, we are truly All in for ��ʿ����!”

Regents exemptions due to COVID-19

Due to the continued presence of the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2020-21 school year, the state once again cancelled the administration of Regents exams in June and August. The state provided an exemption for students who successfully completed courses leading to required Regents exams.

While the state acknowledged that these exemptions had an impact on rising graduation rates statewide for both 2020 and 2021, it said in Wednesday’s announcement that it could not determine to what extent.

For ��ʿ���� High, 91% of the members of the Class of 2021 earned one or more Regents exemptions, on par with the percentages at other area districts. Statewide, 82% of the members of the Class of 2021 earned one or more exemption.

“In order to ensure our success moving forward, we have to remain focused on our vision and mission, and continue to promote equitable opportunities for student success in partnership with our diverse community.”