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Mount Vernon Graduation Rate Rises As Schools Implement '20/20 Vision'

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. - Citing the success and advancement of Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton's "20/20 Vision," school officials announced that they have seen the graduation rate rise six percentage points in the past year.

Mount Vernon Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton's "20/20 Vision" will be put into effect following the bond vote.

Mount Vernon Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton's "20/20 Vision" will be put into effect following the bond vote.

Photo Credit: MVCSD

On Wednesday, Hamilton announced that that the student graduation rate within the Mount Vernon School District rose an “exceptional” 6 percent in 2016, following the New York State Education Department's announcement of graduation rates for all schools.

Data showed that Mount Vernon graduation rates rose to 61 percent in 2016, up from 55 percent the previous year and 48 percent in 2014. In total, 345 students graduated from Mount Vernon in 2016, nearly 50 more than the previous year.

According to the district, the percentage of males to graduate jumped 11 percent to 57 percent, with 45 percent of them graduating with a Regents Diploma, up from 37 percent the year before. Sixty-five percent of girls graduated, with 56 percent earning Regents honors.

“This is concrete evidence that we’re headed in the right direction for better student achievement with the 20/20 Vision,” Hamilton said. “The transformation of the Mount Vernon City School District continues and this data represents another important step in our journey. Our expectation is that improvement will continue as the 20/20 Vision becomes fully implemented.”

Last year, Mount Vernon voters approved a $108 million bond - and Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton's "20/20 Vision" for the future - allowing for an overhaul of infrastructure and a transition from a traditional to a “K-8” education model that will emphasize early childhood education.

In March, residents will again be asked to vote on the bond, after it was repurposed to accommodate anticipated student population growth. The new plan “calls for the repurposing of the bond approved by residents,” with additions proposed for several elementary school buildings, land acquisition and building changes that require approval from the public.

“We are not asking for any more money,” Hamilton added. “We find there is a need for us to provide more space for an influx of children into the district, and we’re asking the public to allow us to repurpose some funds to get ahead of this now while we have the opportunity.”

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