11.1 Percent of Stratford and Bunnell High School Students Don't Graduate in 4 Years

New data from the Connecticut State Department of Education shows that 88.9 percent of Stratford's high school students graduate in four years. That puts the town comfortably above the statewide average of 81.8 percent.

Milford schools had a 86.9 percent graduation rate; Bridgeport schools came in at 55.5 percent.

Locally, 77.9 percent of Hispanic students at and graduated in four years, according to the report. The percentage for hispanic students to graduate in four years statewide was 64 percent.

In Stratford, 84.4 percent of male high school students graduated in four years while the percentage for females to graduate on time was 93.3.

The report states that the percent of special education students may appear to be low -- Stratford's was 58.8 percent -- but that is because those students must stay enrolled in high school to obtain transitional support services.

The four-year graduation rate varies widely across the state. Ten districts -- Bolton, Cromwell, Guilford, Madison, Monroe, New Canaan, Ridgefield, Weston, and Regional School Districts 17 and 18 -- exceeded 95 percent in 2010. Six districts -- Bridgeport, Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, New London and Norwich -- had rates lower than 65 percent.

The data is compiled in accordance with the No Child Left Behind Act, and reflects the most recent information available -- 2010.

"From the local level to the state level, we must redouble our efforts to graduate the next generation of leaders on time all of the time," Connecticut Commissioner of Education Stefan Pryor said.

For details on four-year graduation rates by district and school, please visit the following Web sites:

• District: http://www.csde.state.ct.us/public/cedar/GraduationRates/byDistrict.xls
• School: http://www.csde.state.ct.us/public/cedar/GraduationRates/BySchool.xls

What do you think of the performance of Stratford high school students? What can be done to increase the percentage of on-time graduation? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.