Connecticut Graduation Rates Reach Record High

Connecticut's graduation rate has increased for the sixth year in a row and now stands at an all-time high. Connecticut hit an 87.4 percent graduation rate during the 2016 school year compared to the national average of 83.2 percent.

The graduation rate at Alliance District schools reached 78.3 percent in 2016, up from 71.2 percent in 2011 and the state's 10 highest-need districts saw a nine point increase up to 73 percent in 2016.

“Connecticut is graduating more students than ever before and sending bright, talented young people into the world to make a big impact,” Governor Dannel Malloy said. “I could not be more proud of our hard-working students – the future is bright for our state."

The rates are calculated

Hillhouse High School had the second largest rate increase over the past five years from 54.9 percent in 2012 to 80.4 percent in 2016.

“We’re pleased with results in New Haven to help more high school students overcome academic challenges and graduate – I credit both teachers and students for a continuing, positive trend in this regard,” Mayor Toni N. Harp said. “New Haven’s comprehensive approach curbs chronic absenteeism and provides wraparound student services to see more of those enrolled walk across the stage with a well-deserved diploma.”

Graduation rates are calculated according to the Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate method, which the National Governors Association developed. The rates represent the percentage of first-time ninth-grade students who graduated with a regular high school diploma in four years or less. It is based on individual student-level data, excludes ninth-grade repeaters, late graduates, and accounts for transfers in and out of the graduating class over the four-year period.

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