Verona High School was the only town-specific public high school in New Jersey to have a perfect graduation rate in 2015, according to new data from the New Jersey Department of Education.
While there were 19 schools with 100% graduation rates state-wide last year, 18 were either targeted curriculum magnet schools or regional high schools. VHS topped the graduation rate at both schools in Essex County and among the peer-group “comp” schools that Verona measures itself against in other areas of accomplishment and spending.
“We are pleased with our consistently high graduation rate at Verona High School,” said Superintendent Rui Dionisio. “This outcome is a combination of the continuous efforts of our school and staff in meeting the educational needs of all of our students. Since we are a small high school, it is important to note that even a deviation by 1 or 2 students would skew this statistic into a range similar to other high performing districts. Nonetheless, we are most proud to be a part of such a supportive community we are fortunate to call home.”
Millburn was the town-specific high school in Essex County that finished closest to Verona, at 98.32%, while Cedar Grove was 98.25%, Glen Ridge was 97.76%, James Caldwell High School was 97.04%, Montclair High School was 91.42% and West Orange was 85.94%. The lowest public high school graduation rate in Essex County was Weequahic High School, at 66.18%
Among the schools in the “I” peer group established by the state that includes Verona, Ramapo High School was second with a 99.32% graduation rate, followed by Kinnelon at 98.9% and River Dell Regional at 98.61%. Most of the northern New Jersey “I” group schools were ranked closely together; Columbia High School was lowest at 90.78%.
According to the state DOE, more New Jersey students graduated high school on time last year than in any of the past five years, with 89.7% finishing within four years. You can read its press release on 2015 graduation rates and see other schools here.
