High School Graduation Rates in Silicon Valley

The graduation rate at traditional high schools in the Silicon Valley far outpaces the state average, and dropout rates at most local schools are minuscule, according to data released this week by the state Department of Education.

At 98 percent, Los Altos High School boasted the best graduation rates in the region for 2011-12. It also had the lowest dropout: 1.5 percent.

All other high schools in the area also boasted graduation rates above 94 percent last year. Their dropout rates came in at 4.5 percent or lower. Mountain View High School had the next lowest dropout rate at 2.8 percent.

The schools' showings bested the Santa Clara County and state averages. The county's graduation rate was 81.1 percent in 2011-12; it was 78.5 for the state. The dropout rate for the county and the state were 11 percent and 13.2 percent, respectively.

Dropout Rates in the Silicon Valley

 

2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Alta Vista High 4.2 5.3 3.1 Gunn High 2.7 2.7 4.4 Homestead High 4.1 6.6 3.7 Los Altos High 1.3 2 1.5 Mountain View High 2.8 5.8 2.8 Palo Alto High 1.4 2.4 4.5

Overall, California's graduation rates rose during the 2011-12 school year while dropout rates declined.

The state superintendent's office reported 78.5 percent of students statewide who started high school in 2008-2009 graduated last year. That was up 1.4 percentage points from the year before.

County Rates Mixed

In Silicon Valley, where the overall graduation rates slightly outpaced the state, the Santa Clara County Office of Education self-critically noted that it trails when it comes to graduating Hispanic students, in particular. The county's graduation rate last year for Hispanic students was only 66.1 percent, the county said in a news release Tuesday, compared to 73.2 percent statewide, up 1.8 points from last year.

Similarly, the county education office stated, the dropout rate for Hispanic students was 24 percent—or nearly one in four—compared to 16.2 percent statewide.  

The county education office also said that indicators of the so-called achievement gap in Santa Clara County was widening. The gap in the county between white and Hispanic graduates who completed "A-G requirements" necessary for admission to the state university system has grown since 2008 by 4.4 percentage points, to over 33 points. That meant 56.6 percent for white students completed the requirements vs. 23 percent for Hispanic students. 

Asian students in Santa Clara County, as a group, graduated at the highest rate—94.3 percent in 2012, and 91 percent statewide. Nearly 72 percent of Asian students in the county completed the A-G requirements.

Statewide, among African-American students, 65.7 percent graduated with their class in 2012, up 2.9 points from the year before.

There was a corresponding drop in the state's dropout rate.

The superintendent's office reported 13.2 percent of students who began high school in 2008-2009 dropped out. That was down 1.5 percent from the year before.

The dropout rate among African-American students dropped 3.1 points to 22.2 percent. Among Hispanic students, the dropout rate fell 2.1 points to 16.2 percent.

Another 8.3 percent of students were labeled as neither dropouts or graduate. They include special education students, students who passed the GED exam and those who are still in school.

State Superintendent Tom Torlakson said while the trend is positive, California schools still need to do more. He said he'd like to see the graduation rate top 80 percent in the near future and then reach 90 percent by 2020.

He commended local school officials for improving education despite budget cuts the past few years and the fact California is 49th in the nation in education funding.

"As I travel up and down the state, I see great things happening in California schools every day," said Torlakson.

Dean E. Vogel, president of the California Teachers Association, also viewed the data as positive.

“It’s hopeful news that California’s student graduation rate continues to improve despite record cuts to public education in recent years. Nearly eight out of 10 students who started high school in 2008 as the Great Recession hit our nation graduated in 2012," he said in a prepared statement. "... despite soaring class sizes, layoffs and program cuts over the past several years, teachers are proudly watching more of their students receive high school diplomas and a chance at college and a better future. That will always be good news."

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