Elba Central School District is leading Genesee County schools in the percentage of students who graduate from high school, according to a report released by the New York Education Department.
Elba's 97-percent graduation rate is well above the state average of 74 percent.
Superintendent Joan Cole told WBTA that teachers pay close attention to each student in Elba.
"Where there's a concern in terms of student academic performance or any other struggles a child might have in the classroom, we're able to right away address it through working with the family to make sure the students are successful," Cole said. "Teachers are very attuned to the kids."
None of the schools in Genesee County fell below the state average, but Alexander High came close, with a 76-percent graduation rate.
Batavia's rate was 81 percent.
Principle Chris Daly said because Batavia is larger and in a bigger population area, it has different dynamics to deal with.
"Our goal every year is to get to 100-percent graduation," Daly said. "We look to incrementally increase each year to get there."
He also faulted the state report for not considering the students who complete their education at BOCES, which may take five years.
"That sometimes delays graduation on time," Daly said. "The way the state counts it, they're not graduating on time, yet they'll come out with a skill that will earn them more than some college graduates will have for starting pay."
The other schools: Byron-Bergen, 87 percent; Le Roy, 86 percent; Oakfield-Alabama, 80 percent; Pavilion, 91 percent; Pembroke, 88 percent.
Batavia had 200 freshmen in 2005, the biggest class in the county. Elba's was the smallest, at 33. The next smallest was Alexander with 70.
(via WBTA)
With small graduation numbers
With small graduation numbers and mostly all of them doing well you will have better and higher percentages than most schools. It's a numbers game.
Im sure if there were more
Im sure if there were more than 42 people in their senior class their precentage would be a little lower.