While the state saw a slight increase in the amount of students graduating from high school, Chautauqua County observed a small decrease.

The graduation rate for Chautauqua County schools dropped 1 point, from 83 percent to 82 percent, according to statistics released by the state Department of Education Wednesday. The overall dropout rate remained steady at 8 percent. The percentage of students who graduated with advanced placements increased slightly from 33 percent to 34 percent.

For the entire state, the graduation rate increased to 80.4 in 2018 percent from 80.2 in 2017. State dropout rates remained relatively flat — from 6.2 percent of students who entered high school in 2013 to 6 percent of students who entered high school in 2014.

Despite the 1 percent decrease in Chautauqua County, only four school districts failed to meet the state average.

The Clymer Central School District was the only district for the 2014 cohort to observe a perfect graduation rate of 100 percent. Ed Bailey, Clymer superintendent, said the smaller sizes of graduating classes is a factor for the high graduation rate, but praised the work of the district to guide students to graduation.

“I’m very proud of the fact,” he said. “We pride ourselves in that being a small school.”

Meanwhile, the Dunkirk City School District dropped 6 percent making it the lowest in the county.

The OBSERVER took a look at the graduation rates for all Chautauqua County school districts. The districts are reported in alphabetical order. All graduation rates were taken from the New York State Education website.

The Bemus Point Central School District’s graduation rate decreased slightly to 90 percent in 2018, down from 92 percent in 2017. The 2014 cohort totalled 71 students, up from the 63 students in the 2013 cohort. The percentage of students who graduated with an advanced placement increased from 57 percent to 63 percent; those with a regents diploma decreased from 35 percent to 24 percent; and those with a local diploma decreased from 6 percent to 3 percent. The district’s dropout rate increased in 2018 to 7 percent, up from 0 percent. The percentage of students who didn’t graduate and are still enrolled decreased from 8 percent to 3 percent.

The Brocton Central School District’s graduation rate increased to 87 percent in 2018, up from 64 percent in 2017.

The 2014 cohort totalled 47 students, an increase from the 44 students in the 2013 cohort. The percentage of students who graduated with advanced placements increased from 11 percent to 26 percent; those with a regent diploma increased from 48 percent to 49 percent; and those with a local diploma increased from 5 percent to 11 percent. The district’s dropout rate decreased from 14 percent to 4 percent. The percentage of students who didn’t graduate and are still enrolled increased from 5 percent to 13 percent.

Brocton Superintendent Jason Delcamp said the 2017 graduations are incorrect due to a reporting error. He said 2017’s graduation rate more accurately was 85 percent.

“We have since put multiple checks in place to keep this coding error from happening again,” Delcamp said “It does not look favorable for our school to have a 64 percent graduation rate in the public eye. We need such reports to truly reflect our accomplishments.”

The Cassadaga Valley Central School District’s graduation rate decreased to 85 percent in 2018, down from 88 percent in 2017. The 2014 cohort size totalled 85 students, an increase from the 75 students in the 2013 cohort. The percentage of students who graduated with an advanced placement decreased from 32 percent to 27 percent; those with a regents diploma decreased from 55 percent to 50 percent; and those with a local diploma increased from 1 percent to 7 percent. The district’s dropout rate decreased from 12 percent to 8 percent. The percentage of students who didn’t graduate and are still enrolled increased from 0 percent to 2 percent.

The Chautauqua Lake Central School District’s graduation rate increased to 85 percent in 2018, up from 74 percent in 2017. The 2014 cohort totalled 91 students, a decrease from the 108 students in the 2013 cohort. The percentage of students who graduated with an advanced placement increased from 22 percent to 29 percent; those with a regents diploma increased from 51 percent to 55 percent; and those with a local diploma increased from 1 percent to 3 percent. The district’s dropout rate remained flat at 2 percent. The percentage of students who didn’t graduate and are still enrolled decreased from 20 percent to 12 percent.

Secondary Principal Josh Liddell said the district numbers don’t accurately represent the school because incarcerated youth populations are included from the Mayville jail. Liddell said Chautauqua Lake’s graduation rates were 94 percent in 2017 and 97 percent in 2018.

“We are very proud of this years 97 percent graduation rate as we improved by 3 percent from the year before,” Liddell said. “It is also important to us is that our seniors not only graduate but are also properly prepared to successfully transition to either college and or career.”

The Clymer Central School District’s graduation rate increased to 100 percent in 2018, up from 97 percent in 2017. The 2014 cohort totalled 36 students, a decrease from the 37 students in the 2013 cohort. The percentage of students who graduated with an advanced placement increased from 59 percent to 61 percent; those with a regents diploma increased from 24 percent to 25 percent; and those with a local diploma remained flat at 14 percent. The district’s dropout rate decreased from 3 percent to 0 percent. The percentage of students who didn’t graduate and are still enrolled remained flat at 0 percent.

“It doesn’t change much because we have a small number of kids and we give enough individual attention to make sure they graduation,” Bailey said.

The Dunkirk City School District’s graduation rate decreased to 66 percent in 2018, down from 75 percent in 2017. The 2014 cohort totalled 162 students, an increase from the 152 students in the 2013 cohort. The percentage of students who graduated with an advanced placement decreased from 20 percent to 13 percent; those with a regents diploma increased from 52 percent to 56 percent; and those with a local diploma increased from 3 percent to 7 percent. The district’s dropout rate increased from 14 percent to 18 percent. The percentage of students who didn’t graduate and are still enrolled increased from 9 percent to 13 percent.

The Falconer Central School District’s graduation rate decreased to 83 percent in 2018 from 84 percent in 2017. The 2014 cohort totalled 84 students, an increase from the 79 students in the 2013 cohort. The percentage of students who graduated with advanced placements decreased from 35 percent to 32 percent; those with a regents diploma increased from 38 percent to 44 percent; and those with a local diploma decreased from 10 percent to 7 percent. The district’s dropout rate remained flat at 6 percent. The percentage of students who didn’t graduate and are still enrolled increased from 6 percent to 11 percent.

The Forestville Central School District’s graduation rate increased to 93 percent in 2018, up from 92 percent in 2017. The 2014 cohort totalled 44 students, an increase from the 39 students in the 2013 cohort. The percentage of students who graduated with advanced placements increased from 26 percent to 43 percent; those with a regents diploma decreased from 56 percent to 48 percent; and those with a local diploma decreased from 10 percent to 2 percent. The district’s dropout rate decreased from 3 percent to 0 percent. The percentage of students who didn’t graduate and are still enrolled decreased from 3 percent from 0 percent.

The Fredonia Central School District’s graduation rate increased to 95 percent in 2018, up from 90 percent in 2017. The 2014 cohort totalled 124 students, an increase from the 121 students in the 2013 cohort. The percentage of students who graduated with advanced placement increased from 47 percent to 54 percent; those with a regents diploma decreased from 41 percent to 39 percent; and those with a local diploma remained flat at 2 percent. The district’s dropout rate increased from 1 percent to 2 percent. The percentage of students who didn’t graduate and are still enrolled decreased from 8 percent to 1 percent.

The Frewsburg Central School District’s graduation rate decreased to 81 percent in 2018, down from 90 percent in 2017. The 2014 cohort totalled 59 students, a decreased from the 60 students in the 2013 cohort. The percentage of students who graduated with advanced placements increased from 27 percent to 31 percent; those with a regents diploma decreased from 55 percent to 42 percent; and those with a local diploma remained flat at 8 percent. The district’s dropout rate increased from 7 percent to 8 percent. The percentage of students who didn’t graduate and are still enrolled increased from 3 percent to 7 percent.

The Jamestown Public Schools District’s graduation rate decreased to 73 percent 2018, down from 75 percent in 2017. The 2014 cohort totalled 353 students, remaining flat from 2017. The percentage of students who graduated with advanced placements decreased from 28 percent to 27 percent; those with a regents diploma decreased from 41 percent to 39 percent; and those with a local diploma increased from 6 percent to 7 percent. The dropout rate decreased from 15 percent to 13 percent. The percentage of students who didn’t graduate and are still enrolled increased from 6 percent to 10 percent.

Jessie Joy, JPS chief information officer, said the district observed a slight increase in the five year graduation rate despite the decline in the four year graduation rate. She also emphasized the retention of students who didn’t graduate and remain enrolled in the district. Mike McElrath, high school principal, reiterated the same sentiments.

“While I recognize that 4 year, on time graduation is a worthy goal it does a disservice to those students who need more time to complete the coursework or exams required for graduation, or for those who need more time because life’s circumstances get in the way,” McElrath said.

The Panama Central School District’s graduation rate increased to 97 percent in 2018, up from 92 percent in 2017. The 2014 cohort totalled 33 students, a decrease from the 48 students in the 2013 cohort. The percentage of students who graduated with advanced placements decreased from 38 percent to 24 percent; those with a regents diploma increased from 38 percent to 64 percent; and those with a local diploma decreased from 17 percent to 9 percent. The district’s dropout rates decreased from 2 percent to 0 percent.

The Pine Valley Central School District’s graduation rate increased to 86 percent in 2018, up from 84 percent in 2017. The 2014 cohort totalled 42 students, a decrease from the 56 students in the 2013 cohort. The percentage of students who graduated with advanced placements decreased from 29 percent to 24 percent; those with a regents diploma increased from 43 percent to 62 percent; and those with a local diploma decreased from 13 percent to 0 percent. The district’s dropout rate increased from 4 percent to 5 percent. The percentage of students who didn’t graduate and are still enrolled decreased from 6 percent to 0 percent.

Pine Valley Superintendent Scott Payne praised the district’s continued trend of higher graduation rates each year. He emphasized the importance of providing additional pathways for students to graduating.

“We’re continuing to build those programs,” Payne said. “There are exciting thing in agriculture and technology that were trying to build on.”

The Sherman Central School District’s graduation rate increased to 92 percent in 2018, up from 89 percent in 2017. The 2014 cohort totalled 26 students, a decreased from the 47 students in the 2013 cohort. The percentage of students who graduated with advanced placements decreased from 45 percent to 38 percent; those with a regents diploma increased from 40 percent to 54 percent; and those with a local diploma decreased from 4 percent to 0 percent. The district’s dropout rate increased from 2 percent to 4 percent. The percentage of students who didn’t graduate and are still enrolled remained flat at 4 percent.

The Silver Creek Central School District’s graduation rate decreased to 87 percent in 2018, down from 89 percent in 2017. The 2014 cohort totalled 84 students, an increase from 73 students in the 2013 cohort. The percentage of students who graduated with advanced placements increased from 33 percent to 43 percent; those with a regents diploma decreased from 49 percent to 42 percent; and those with a local diploma decreased from 7 percent to 2 percent. The district’s dropout rate increased from 7 percent to 8 percent. The percentage of students who didn’t graduate and are still enrolled decreased from 4 percent to 2 percent.

The Southwestern Central School District’s graduation rate decreased to 88 percent in 2018, down from 89 percent in 2017. The 2014 cohort totalled 111 students, an increase from the 109 students in the 2013 cohort. The percentage of students who graduated with advanced placements decreased from 49 percent to 39 percent; those with a regents diploma increased from 41 percent to 47 percent; and those with a local diploma remained flat 3 percent. The district’s dropout rate increased from 4 percent to 6 percent. The percentage of students who didn’t graduate and are still enrolled decreased from 7 percent to 5 percent.

SWCS Superintendent Maureen Donahue said highlighted the increased in regents diploma and districts overall standing in the state, but acknowledged her discomfort with students dropping out.

“Any dropout is a concern to me,” she said. “We want to make sure all of our kids are successful.”

The Westfield Academy and Central School’s graduation rate decreased to 80 percent in 2018, down from 88 percent in 2017. The 2014 cohort totalled 54 students, a decrease from the 57 students in the 2013 cohort. The percentage of students who graduated with advanced placements increased from 35 percent to 43 percent; those with a regents diploma decreased from 49 percent to 37 percent; and those with a local diploma decreased from 4 percent to 0 percent. The district’s dropout rate increased from 2 percent to 7 percent. The percentage of students who didn’t graduate and are still enrolled increased from 7 percent to 9 percent.