What does this measure?

The number of students graduating, as a percentage of their cohort. The cohort is the class of ninth-graders beginning high school together.

Why is this important?

High school graduation is the culmination of a successful K-12 education and the gateway to college or employment. Students who do not graduate face the prospect of unemployment or low-paying jobs.

How is the Greater Capital Region performing?

In our region, about 79% of the class of 2007 graduated on-time, or within four years, compared to 70% of students statewide. The graduation rate was highest in Saratoga County (82%) and lowest in Schenectady County (73%), but each county exceeded the state rate. The graduation rate has increased slightly from 77% for the class of 2005.

When given an extra year, more students graduate. The graduation rate for the region’s class of 2005 increased from 77% after four years to 81% after five years. However, graduation rates did not rise much in the sixth year.

Notes about the data

Data for earlier years were not comparable because cohorts were not tracked in the same way.