High schools boast 95 percent graduation rate

The Central High School District’s 2015 graduation rate was 95 percent, nearly 20 percentage points higher than the statewide rate, according to the New York State Education Department.

“Our on-time graduation rate is higher than Rockville Centre’s,” said Central High School District Superintendent Bill Heidenreich. “That doesn’t happen by accident.”

He credited the high rate to the efforts of school staff throughout Valley Stream schools at every grade level, noting the creation of several programs to assist vulnerable students who may be new English language learners or new entrants to the district.

“When we disaggregate our data … there’s no achievement gap by ethnicity or race when it comes to graduation rates,” he said, adding that the district hopes to continue its efforts to cater to students’ unique learning needs.

“We never become complacent,” he said. “I’d like to see our graduation rate become 100 percent.”