What does this measure?

The number of students graduating after four years of high school, expressed as a percentage of their cohort. A cohort is a class of ninth-graders beginning high school in the same academic year.

Why is this important?

High school graduation is the culmination of a successful K-12 education and the gateway to college or employment. Students who do not graduate face the prospect of unemployment or low-paying jobs.

How is our county performing?

About 86% of the 2018 high school cohort in Berks County graduated on time, up 2 percentage points since 2011. This graduation rate was similar to Pennsylvania, which had a 3 percentage point increase during this period.

Some of the lowest 2018 graduation rates were in districts with high rates of students who were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, a measure of students' socioeconomic status. These included Reading, with a graduation rate of 67%, and Antietam, 87%. The highest graduation rates were in districts where between a quarter and one-third of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. These included Wyomissing, with a graduation rate of 99%, Oley Valley (98%) and Kutztown and Wilson, both at 97%.

Berks County's 2018 graduation rate was similar to Lebanon and Lehigh County, higher than Chester (84%) and lower than Schuylkill and Lancaster (both 88%) and Montgomery (92%). Chester's graduation rate dropped 2 percentage points since 2011. Schuylkill increased 3 points during the same period.

Notes about the data

Students are included in the cohort based on the year they entered Grade 9. Students are transferred in or out of cohorts if they transfer schools. Students who earn a GED or Certificate of Attainment are not counted as graduates.

There may be additional research available on this topic. Click on Reports and Resources to learn more.