What does this measure?

The number of students graduating on time (after four years of high school), 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 are Cayuga and Seneca counties performing?

The percentage of the Class of 2011 graduated on time (after 4 years of high school) was 74% in Cayuga County and 76% in Seneca County. These rates were lower than the 81% graduation rate at the state (excluding NYC) level. The graduation rate for Cayuga was below that of comparison counties, which ranged from 75%–85%. Graduation rates in Cayuga have fluctuated in recent years, peaking at 74% for the Classes of 2009 and 2011. Seneca’s graduation rates have declined from 79% for the Class of 2009. The state rate has been increasing steadily in the past few years. Among school districts, graduation rates for the Class of 2011 ranged from 64% in Port Byron to 82% in Union Springs in Cayuga and from 74% in Waterloo to 80% in Seneca Falls in Seneca County.

Notes about the data

Data for earlier years were not comparable because cohorts were not tracked in the same way. These figures reflect graduates in June; the state also presents and some districts highlight the figure for graduates through August, which includes students who made up courses during summer and graduated.