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Pinellas County Schools graduation rate surpasses state, continues to climb
Jan. 10, 2018
The Pinellas County Schools 2016-2017 high school graduation rate of 82.9 percent surpassed the state graduation rate of 82.3 percent. The Florida Department of Education released 2016-17 graduation rate information earlier today. The school district’s graduation rate increased 2.8 percentage points over the previous year and 11 percentage points since 2012-13.
“Our graduation rate increase is an accomplishment for all of our schools,” said Michael A. Grego, Ed.D., superintendent. “From our Pre-K classrooms onward, every teacher, staff member and school leader plays a role in helping students find their pathway. We will build on this success and strive to grow greatness in all of our students.”
Pinellas has the third highest graduation rate among the state’s eight largest school districts. The 11 percentage point increase since 2012-13 is the highest increase among the state’s eight largest school districts:
Eight Largest School Districts in Florida |
||
District |
2016-17 |
% Point / Change Over 5 Years |
Palm Beach |
85.0% |
8.7% |
Orange |
84.7% |
8.8% |
Pinellas |
82.9% |
11.0% |
Hillsborough |
82.9% |
8.8% |
Broward |
81.0% |
5.7% |
Duval |
80.8% |
8.7% |
Dade |
80.7% |
3.5% |
Polk |
75.4% |
6.0% |
State |
82.3% |
6.7% |
Additional 2016-17 highlights include:
- In the last five years, Pinellas outpaced the state in increasing the graduation rate for black students, Hispanic students and students with disabilities (ESE).
- The graduation rate for black students in Pinellas increased 3.8 percentage points to 69.3%.
- Since 2012-13, the graduation rate for black students has increased 12.9% in Pinellas.
- The graduation rate for Hispanic students increased 6 percentage points to 81.3%, matching the state’s Hispanic graduation rate.
- Since 2012-13, the graduation rate for Hispanic students has increased 18.7% in Pinellas.
- The graduation rate for ESE students increased by 8.7 percentage points to 67.1%. The state’s ESE graduation rate was 66%.
- The graduation rate for English Language Learners increased 13.7 percentage points to 63.7%.
- Palm Harbor University High School increased 2.4% to 97.6%, the highest rate in Pinellas.
- Dixie Hollins High School saw the greatest improvement with a 7.8% increase to 85.3%.
Thirteen of the district’s 16 traditional high schools increased their graduation rates:
School |
2016 |
2017 |
School |
2016 |
2017 |
Boca Ciega High School |
91.1 |
91.5 |
Largo High School |
84.3 |
85.9 |
Clearwater High School |
88.0 |
89.5 |
Northeast High School |
88.2 |
90.9 |
Countryside High School |
86.8 |
83.4 |
Osceola Fundamental High School |
95.4 |
97.5 |
Dixie Hollins High School |
77.5 |
85.3 |
Palm Harbor University High School |
95.2 |
97.6 |
Dunedin High School |
85.8 |
88.5 |
Pinellas Park High School |
86.8 |
92.1 |
East Lake High School |
95.8 |
97.0 |
Seminole High School |
96.6 |
95.8 |
Gibbs High School |
84.4 |
84.2 |
St. Petersburg High School |
89.0 |
92.0 |
Lakewood High School |
84.9 |
89.5 |
Tarpon Springs High School |
94.8 |
95.7 |