Moreno Valley Unified Graduation Rates Exceed State Average

Moreno Valley Unified School District has exceeded the state graduation rate for the class of 2014, with 82.8 percent of students earning a high school diploma, new data released by the California Department of Education shows. The data released April 28 shows that MVUSD schools are graduating more students and fewer are dropping out, with graduation rates in the district increasing from 81.5 percent in 2013 and dropout rates decreasing from 11.9 percent in 2013. Data also showed increases in the graduation rates of Hispanic/Latino, African American and students of two or more non-Hispanic races, up 2 percent, 2 percent and 8.9 percent, respectively. The jump in graduation rates brings MVUSD up 2 percent higher than the state graduation rate of 80.8 percent but 2.3 percent lower than the County-wide graduation rate of 85.1 percent in 2014, data shows. Data also shows increases in graduation rates at four of the district's five high schools. Canyon Springs, Moreno Valley, Valley View and Vista del Lago high schools showed a 3.7, 4.4, 1 and 3.5 percent graduation rate increase, respectively. The graduation rate at Allesandro High School dropped by 10 percent last year, according to the CDE report. At the same time, dropout rates at four of the high schools decreased: by 13.3 percent at Allesandro High School, 2.7 percent at Canyon Springs High School; 2.1 percent at Moreno Valley High School and by 3.9 percent at Vista del Lago High School. The dropout rate at Valley View High School increased by 1.3 percent at Valley View High School. Statewide, countywide and district-wide, schools have also seen a decrease in enrollment. Moreno Valley Unified enrollment rates dropped from 34,468 students total in 2013 to 34,170 students total in 2014, a less than 1 percent decrease. English learner enrollment rates in the district also dropped in the last year, from 8,265 total in 2013 to 7,894 in 2014. Other highlights include seven new Gold Ribbon Schools recognitions in the MVUSD, just five months after MVUSD was presented with three Golden Bell Awards by the California School Boards Association, the most of any school district in the state. Now with the most Gold Ribbon Schools in Riverside or San Bernardino Counties, the state recognized the following schools as Gold Ribbon awardees: Badger Springs Middle School; Bayside Community Day School; Landmark Middle School; Sunnymead Middle School; Valley View High School; Vista del Lago High School; and Vista Heights Middle School. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Martinrex Kedziora credited a collaborative effort. “Principals, teachers, counselors, classified staff, students and parents have all worked together to create the teaching and learning environment at these seven schools that make them Gold Ribbon award winners,” he said. “We are thrilled with their progress and dedication! Students’ lives are being transformed from good to gold by their work.” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson credited a variety of influences in the increase of California high school graduation rates, including the collection of more precise data, which Torlakson said has put a spotlight on graduation rates and helped teachers and administrators adjust instruction for all students - particularly for those most in danger of failing or dropping out. Despite record graduation rates, however, Torlakson said there's still work to be done. "I challenge educators, parents, students, and community leaders to continue the hard work needed to help every student graduate," he said, "and to make a special effort to raise graduation rates for English learners and Latino and African American students."