Kzoo Promise 12 years later: HS grad rates climb, still lag state

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — Kalamazoo Public Schools report the district’s 2018 graduation rate was its highest yet, though it still hasn’t caught up to the state average.

Last year, Kalamazoo’s rate rose to 75.2 percent, compared to the state’s average of 80.6 percent.

Still, the district has made solid strides, raising grad rates 12 points in less than a decade.

The rate in 2010, the year President Barak Obama visited, was 63.1 percent.

“It’s probably far from where anybody wants it,” said Von Washington Jr., referring to last year’s rate. “You know we want everybody graduating. We want everybody to be able access education in a way that helps them move their life forward.”

Washington, who was principal at Kalamazoo Central High school when Obama visited, is now executive director of community relations at the Promise.

Read more at WOODTV.com


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