The graduation rate for students in District-operated schools in Palm Beach County remained stable at 91.6% for the Class of 2019. According to data released on January 9 by the Florida Department of Education, the District’s graduation rate is .1% lower than the 91.7% rate in 2018.
Palm Beach County’s graduation rate continues to exceed the state average of 86.9%. It also exceeds the District’s Strategic Plan long term outcome to achieve a graduation rate of 90% by 2021.
Twenty-one of the District’s high schools have a graduation rate equal to, or exceeding, 90%. Glades Central Community High School showed the largest growth with a 4.3% increase to 92.1%. Santaluces Community High School gained 3.2%, and Boca Raton Community High School had a 3% increase in its graduation rate. Suncoast Community High School continues to boast a 100% graduation rate.
There was slight growth in the graduation rate of the District’s Black and Hispanic students with an increase of .7% and .2% respectively, as compared to last year. The graduation rate for English Language Learners (ELLs) dropped 3.1% to 68.7%.
“Ensuring academic excellence, a world-class education, and equity of access and opportunity to all students are goals of the School District of Palm Beach County,” said Superintendent Donald E. Fennoy II. “To grow, we must continually evolve and evaluate what is working and where we, as a District, must improve.”
The graduation rate for students with disabilities (SWD) earning a standard diploma rose 3.4% to 82.6%. The 91.6% rate does not include charter schools operated in Palm Beach County. The graduation rate for all schools, inclusive of charter schools, also remained steady at 87.1%, down slightly from last year’s rate of 87.2%.
Across the state, the overall 2019 graduation rate of 86.9% showed a nine-point increase over the last five years, according to a media release by Governor Ron DeSantis.
The FY19 Federal High School Graduation rate includes standard diplomas, but excludes special diplomas and General Education Diplomas (GEDs). For more information on the District’s graduation rates, including a school-by-school listing of graduation rates, read the Executive Summary.
