City, county graduation rates mixed

By Sarah Arkin

Published: October 10, 2008

The latest report card highlighting graduation rates of Virginia high school students shows Danville students in the class of 2008 performed below the state average. The graduation rate for students in Pittsylvania County, however, was slightly better than the state average.

Between the three high schools in the city the Virginia Department of Education examined, 71.8 percent of high school seniors graduated on time. Across the commonwealth, 81.3 percent of high school students got their diploma within four years.

The Department of Education calculated the rates for school divisions and high schools for the first time by tracking individual students from year to year using the state’s longitudinal student data system.

Galileo Magnet High School boasted the highest rate in the city with a graduation rate of 83.9. George Washington High School had a 71.9 percent rate and Langston Focus School had a rate of 54.5.

Gender proves to be the greatest demographic factor affecting that number, with 76.3 percent of Danville city girls graduating on time, compared to 66.9 percent of boys.

Race is another factor.

White students have a 77 percent graduation rate, while blacks have a rate of 68.6.

In the county, 81.9 percent of students in the class of 2008 graduated on time.

Chatham High School scored extremely well, with a rate of 89.3. Tunstall High School followed with an 81.4 rate and Gretna High School had a rate of 76.7.

Female and male student rates were much closer than in the city at 83.5 and 80.2 respectively. White and black students had about the same rate at 82.4 and 80.7 respectively.

Pittsylvania County Schools Superintendent James McDaniel said the school system is “very pleased” with the report and attributes it to attention to detail within the school and outside of class.

McDaniel said school officials work with societal factors that affect on-time graduation rates.

“The leadership of the school, the climate of the school — students wanting to be there — those are contributing factors,” he said.

“We’re trying to get students to understand the importance of education now more than ever,” McDaniel added. He said teachers try to impress upon the students that people without high school diplomas make an average of $21,000 per year, while those with diplomas earn an average of $27,000.

Contact Sarah Arkin at or (434) 791-7983.