Volusia County Schools’ graduation rate for the 2019-2020 school year increased by 3.2%, improving for the 10th straight year.
The 87.7% graduation rate is at its highest ever. The district’s graduation rate has grown by 9% in just the past two years.
“Graduation assurance is a top priority for Volusia County Schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin. “It’s a major team effort by students, teachers, school counselors, school administrators, principals, and district staff, and we are celebrating this success today!”
The graduation rates at eight of Volusia’s 10 high schools improved this year, and half of VCS’ high schools now have a graduation rate of 90% or above.
New Smyrna Beach High School posted the largest increase, at 8%, with big gains at the two high schools in Deltona, as well. Pine Ridge High School’s rate increased 6.8% and Deltona High’s by 6.4%.
VCS credits the graduation rate improvements to a comprehensive strategy that focuses on providing individualized support to seniors, close monitoring of seniors’ credits and grades, more career technology programs, and the addition of advanced programs. Students are able to make up missing credits and increase their GPAs using Edgenuity Labs. Remediation programs, academic boot camps, and summer programs are also readily available to students who need them.
“The pandemic has thrown many challenges at us this year, but we have been steadfast in our support of high school students as they progress toward graduation,” Balgobin said. “We offer rigorous instruction and utilize robust and effective progress monitoring to ensure that all students have the opportunity to walk across the graduation stage.”
Together, We Are Stronger
