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.

Graduation rates were higher among Asian and white students in our region (both at 92%) compared to Hispanic or Latino and black or African American students (both at 79%) for the Class of 2020. The graduation rates for the region were similar to the state for all ethnic and racial groups with Asian, African American and whites which were 1 point above state levels and Hispanic up 2 points. Since 2009, graduation rates among Latino and African American students have improved by 24 and 27 points respectively, more than the other groups.

Monroe County had rates on par with the region for most racial and ethnic groups, though its rate for African American and Hispanics was 1 point below that of the region. The surrounding counties had higher rates than Monroe County for all racial and ethnic groups except whites which were 2 points below that of Monroe.

The Rochester School District posted graduation rates of 62% for white students, 67% for Hispanic, 70% for African American, and 77% for Asian students.

There are a variety of factors believed to contribute to disparities in graduation rates and other measures of student achievement. School systems in the United States are highly segregated, and students of color disproportionately attend schools with high proportions of low-income students who may not have benefited from early learning opportunities at the same rate as other students. Schools also have different levels of resources ranging from qualified/experienced teachers to advanced courses to facilities and technology, and schools with large Black and Latino populations often have lower levels. In addition, teachers across all school systems tend to be disproportionately white, and teaching practices and curriculum may not be culturally relevant to students of color.

Prior years are not comparable, thus are not reported. Students are included in the total cohort based on the year they entered Grade 9 or, if ungraded, the school year in which they reached their 17th birthday. Students are included in the cohort of the school where they were last enrolled if they were enrolled for a minimum of five months. Students were counted as graduates if they earned a local or a Regents diploma. These figures include students who graduate in August after making up courses during the summer. Data for this indicator are expected to be released in the second quarter.