Pomona Unified Forges Path to Success with

Rising Graduation Rates

 

POMONA – The rate of students graduating from Pomona Unified School District high schools increased for the fifth straight year, hitting 83 percent in the 2013-14 academic year, according to data released April 28 by the California Department of Education (CDE).

Pomona Unified’s high schools have boasted significant double-digit graduation rate increases since the 2009-10 school year, when the state began calculating graduation rates based on four-year cohort information using the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS). Graduation rates also surpass the state average of 80.8 percent and Los Angeles County average of 78 percent.

The impressive data validates Pomona Unified’s commitment to improve instruction and provide academic support to ensure achievement among all students.

“It’s extremely exciting to see that our District and students are consistently building on the success that has been growing year after year,” said Board of Education President Andrew Wong. “It is our priority to ensure that all Pomona Unified students are getting the academic, personal and social support they need to succeed, and we are very proud that these results reflect that commitment.”

Since the 2009-10 school year, the number of graduating seniors has jumped more than 11 percentage points: in 2009-10, 71.8 percent of seniors graduated; in 2010-11, 77.1 percent of seniors graduated; in 2011-12, 77.5 percent of seniors graduated; in 2012-13, 79.1 percent of seniors graduated; and last year, 83 percent graduated.

The 2013-14 graduation rate includes seniors from the District’s four comprehensive high schools, three academies and other alternative education programs.

Superintendent Richard Martinez credits the positive trend to a supportive environment that encourages student achievement by providing academic intervention, credit and attendance recovery programs, tutoring, mentoring and counseling, as well as rigorous and challenging curricula that stirs student engagement.

“We have been very cognizant of the fact that if we want our students to graduate, pursue higher education and be successful in their careers, we must provide equal opportunities and academic support to all students,” Superintendent Richard Martinez said. “This data is a testament to the commitment of our District teachers and staff and reflects that we are moving in the right direction.”