PVHS, 27J lead in area graduation rates

In its first year with a graduating class, Prairie View High School led the list of graduation rates among comprehensive high schools in Adams County. At the same time, School District 27J led the list among those school districts.

PVHS graduated 88.84 percent in 2009. Brighton High School’s graduation rate for 2009 was 84.36 percent.
Topping the list of graduation rates among the same Adams County school districts, 27J’s districtwide graduation rate increased to 71.67 percent, up from 66.6. That number includes all high schools (traditional, alternative and charter) in the district.

“I am very proud of our students, their families, and our staff for their dedication and commitment to education,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Rod L. Blunck. School District 27J continually focuses on increasing our graduation rates and these results are confirmation that what we are doing is producing quality results. “

The 27J districtwide completer rate, which includes GEDs and certificates of completion, increased to 79 percent, up from 76 percent.

The statewide graduation rate for 2009 was 74.6 percent. The completer rate was 79.2.

“When it comes to funding public education, School District 27J is 157th out of 178 school districts in Colorado, one of only 25 districts that receive per-pupil revenue of less than $7,000,” Dr. Blunck said. “These results show that the families and citizens of 27J are receiving great value out of every dollar invested.

“The Board of Education of School District 27J has charged the organization to increase graduation rates and these results are testimony that we are accomplishing the Board’s directives,” he added. “In School District 27J, we believe that a diploma is the gatekeeper for future success and these increased graduation rates prove that our students possess the tools to be contributing members of our society.”

The graduation rate formula used by the Colorado Department of Education begins with each school’s and district’s entering ninth-grade class, which is tracked and adjusted for transfers through the end of the 12th-grade year.

For more information on graduation rates, go to www.cde.state.co.us/index_stats.htm.