PWCS On-Time Graduation Rate Reaches New High

Prince William County Schools graduates receiving their diplomas at Jiffy Lube Live.

Submitted by Prince William County Schools Communication Services 

The Prince William County Schools graduation rate reached a new high of 91.4 percent with student subgroups making big gains, significantly out-performing statewide results.

According to a release by PWCS's Communication Services Department, a record number of Prince William County Public School students graduated on time last school year. The new on-time graduation rate of 91.4 percent for students who entered high school in the fall of 2011 and graduated in 2015 continues a steady climb from 83 percent seven years ago, and again outpaces statewide results.

PWCS continued to close the gap in performance of student subgroups, showing solid increases from last year and significantly outperforming results from across the Commonwealth.

• Graduation rate for black students increased from 89.2% in 2014 to 91.2% in 2015, compared with 86% percent statewide;
• Graduation rate for Hispanic students increased from 84.2% in 2014 to 85.0% in 2015; the Virginia rate is 84%.
• Graduation rate for economically disadvantaged students increased from 85.2% in 2014 to 87% in 2015; and
• Graduation rate for students who were “Limited English Proficient” (LEP) at any time in high school increased from 81.6% in 2014 to 84.3% in 2015.

“Once again we have cause for celebration," said PWCS Superintendent, Dr. Steve Walts, who noted that 51 percent of all students earned advanced studies diplomas, up from 47 percent in 2014.

Only three PWCS high schools now trail the Virginia on-time graduation rate, with all three closing the gap. Gar-Field High School led the upward climb, with an on-time graduation rate increasing by more than three points over 2014, to a new level of 85.3 percent.

"Gar-Field’s gains reinforce what can be accomplished through hard work and dedication," said Walts. "They reinforce our commitment to continuous improvement for every student and every school.”