STATEWIDE—Colorado’s high school graduation rate is improving according to new statistics from the Colorado Department of Education.

For 2018, the statewide four-year graduation rate was 80.7 percent or 53,240 students. By comparison, the 2015 rate was 77.3 percent or 47,784 students. There has also been a significant five-year graduation rate across Colorado, which totaled 84.2 percent in 2017.

The San Luis Valley has seen rates that are comparable to the rest of the state. Sierra Grande saw an 87.5 percent graduation rate in 2018; Alamosa saw 80.1 percent; Monte Vista, 80.6 percent; Del Norte 86.4 percent; and North Conejos, 83.8 percent. The South Conejos School District saw a 100 percent graduation rate with 17 out of 17 students graduating in 2018. The Colorado Department of Education leadership sees this report as positive.

Colorado Education Commissioner, Kathy Anthes said, “The continued improvement of our graduation rate is a testament to all the hard work being done in schools across the state by students, parents and teachers.”

Anthes added, “Coloradans know that graduating high school is an important first step to becoming a productive citizen. That is why we remain committed to supporting all historically underserved students so that all students can graduate ready for careers and college.”