MVUSD Graduation Rate Continues to Spring Upward

Focused attention on the needs of individual students and helping them overcome barriers to graduation has led to yet another increase in Moreno Valley Unified School District’s graduation rate, and given it the greatest four-year increase of any district in Riverside County. Data released this week by the State of California shows MVUSD’s graduation rate has leaped an astonishing 17.1 percent since 2010 to its current 82.8 percent – a rate that once again exceeds both the state and national averages (80.8 and 80.0 percent, respectively). “As pleased as we are with our overall progress as a district,” said Superintendent Dr. Judy D. White, “we’re especially pleased with the exceptional graduation-rate increases we’re seeing at individual high schools.” And the biggest jumps in the past two years, she noted, have been made by the schools whose graduation rates have lagged farther behind. “Last year, the biggest gain was made by Vista del Lago High School, with 6.7 percent,” explained Assistant Superintendent Dr. Martinrex Kedziora. “This year, the biggest gain was made by Moreno Valley High School, with 4.7 percent. These are outstanding increases.” Looking at grad-rate improvement over the past four years, the results are even more astounding: ·Moreno Valley High’s graduation rate has shot up 15.1 percent ·Vista del Lago High’s rate has improved 15.5 percent ·Canyon Springs High’s rate has climbed 9.7 percent ·Valley View High’s grad rate has skyrocketed 18.2 percent since 2010. Kedziora attributed the district’s graduation-rate success to several factors, including a very focused commitment on the part of the School Board and Superintendent that all students should graduate prepared to successfully enter into higher education and/or pursue a viable career path; and the attention and intervention of principals, counselors and teachers at each school who have taken the time to understand and respond to the sometimes unique challenges facing individual students.