Monrovia Unified Graduation Rate Soars

MONROVIA, CA -- The dropout rate among Monrovia Unified School District students in the high school class of 2015-16 dropped from the previous year, coupled with an upward tick in the graduation rate, according to figures released Tuesday by the state Department of Education.

The dropout rate for MBUSD students who started high school in 2012-13 was 4 percent, down from 8.2 percent for the class of 2014-15. The graduation rose dramatically from 85.9 percent to 92.9 percent.

"The high graduation rates reflect the strength of instruction by experts in the classroom and the effort expended by our students," Monrovia Unified superintendent Katherine Thorossian told Patch. "We are all very proud to be able to say that all three of our high schools are at the highest graduation rates in recent history. Our district rate is 92.9 percent with Monrovia High School at 96.9 percent -- far above the state average."

The Los Angeles county saw similar trends, with the 2015-16 dropout rate at 10.6, down from 12.5 the previous year. The graduation rate was 81.3 percent, up from the previous year's 78.7 percent.

In Orange County, the graduation rate was 90.8 percent, up slightly from 90 percent the previous year. The dropout rate was 5.4 percent, down from 5.7 percent the previous year.

Statewide, the graduation rate climbed for the seventh year in a row, according to state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.

A total of 83.2 percent of the state's students who started high school in 2012-13 graduated with their class in 2016, up 0.9 percentage points from the previous year, according to the state.

"This is great news for our students and families," Torlakson said. "Graduation rates have gone up seven years in a row, reflecting renewed optimism and increased investments in our schools that have helped reduce class sizes; bring back classes in music, theater, art, dance and science; and expand career technical education programs that engage our students with hands-on, minds-on learning."

The report also showed a statewide lowering of the dropout rate. Of the students who started high school in 2012-13, 9.8 percent dropped out, down from 10.7 percent the previous year.

-- City News Service contributed to this report. Photo via Shutterstock