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The positive news was announced at a Monday news conference by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Commissioner of Education Dianna R. Wentzell at Wilbur Cross High School in Bridgeport.
Wilbur Cross enjoyed the third largest increase in its public school graduation rate over the past five years of any Connecticut high school, reaching 81.3 percent last spring, up from 64.3 percent in 2013, officials said.
Graduation rates for black and Latino students also continued to increase, Malloy said.
“My administration has been laser-focused on educational outcomes and making sure that every kid in Connecticut, no matter their zip code, has access to a quality education and the opportunity to succeed,” Malloy said.
“Achieving a record-high graduation rate in 2017 is another exciting and incredible milestone toward our goal of equity and excellence for all Connecticut students,” Wentzell said. "The fact that more young people than ever before are earning high school diplomas is a testament to the hard work and commitment of so many teachers, principals, superintendents, community partners, elected leaders, and of course our parents and students.”
Also on the rise are the graduation rates for school districts that participate in Connecticut’s Alliance District program, officials said. The graduation rates for the Alliance Districts reached 80.5 percent in 2017, up from 71.2 percent in 2011.
The Educational Reform Districts, a subset of the Alliance Districts and among the lowest performing in the state, showed a 12.1 point gain since 2011, up to 75.7 percent in 2017.
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