Mayor Domenic J. Sarno joined with Superintendent of Schools Daniel Warwick, School Committee Vice-Chair Chris Collins, School Committee member Denise Hurst, and principals and staff from our schools in announcing that the 2019 drop-out rate is at an all-time low.
As reported by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the district’s 2019 drop-out rate is 4.4 percent, which represents a decrease of more than 50 percent over the last seven years. Below is a comparison of the drop-out rates.
High School of Science and Technology
2012: 11.6 %
2019: 3.9 %
Central High School
2012: 7.7 %
2019: 2.3 %
Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy
2012: 5.1 %
2019: 2.3 %
Also reported out by DESE, the districts graduation rate has increased overall since 2012. In 2012, the graduation rate was at 56.6 percent. By 2019, that number had increased to 73.8 percent. Below is a comparison of the graduation rates.
High School of Science and Technology
2012: 39.9 %
2019: 85.6 %
Central High School
2012: 74.6 %
2019: 89.6 %
Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy
2012: 71 %
2019: 91.5 %
Mayor Sarno states, “When I first took office as Mayor in 2008, the graduation rate was at 53% and the drop-out rate was at 12%. These numbers were unacceptable. This is a monumental change since my administration has taken office. Thanks to the leadership of Superintendent of Schools Daniel Warwick and his staff, our principals, teachers, students and their families, and also our School Committee members, our district has improved our drop-out and graduation rates by leaps and bounds. There is still much work to be done, but we have come a long way and we will continue to utilize all available resources, programs and initiatives for the betterment of our students and their families.”
