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Carmel High presentation: June graduation rate rises to 93%; district outlines pre-K rollout and targets
Summary
Principal Brian Piazza told the board June graduation rates rose from 87% to 93% year‑over‑year with gains across subgroups; the district announced a universal pre‑K program starting Jan. 8, a state allotment for up to 188 seats, and an initial 90‑day allocation of about $240,000.
Principal Brian Piazza presented historical August and June graduation-rate data and district targets at the Oct. 8 Carmel Central School District Board meeting.
"Our graduation rate for all students rose from 87 percent to 93 percent in June 2024," Piazza said, and highlighted subgroup gains: a double‑digit increase for students with disabilities, strong growth for English language learners, and an 85.5% June graduation rate for economically disadvantaged students with further students remaining enrolled beyond August. Piazza described interventions that contributed to progress — 1:1 student technology, expanded free lunch, bilingual school social worker, targeted counseling, transitional supports, in‑house GED options and expanded professional learning.
Superintendent Dr. Kennedy outlined the district's plan to launch universal pre‑K beginning Jan. 8 with an initial 90‑day offering. She said the district applied for an allotment that supports 188 seats and that the currently projected allocation for a 90‑day program is about $240,000; if expanded to full enrollment funding could rise toward the mid‑six figures or higher depending on state award levels. The board was told about partnerships with local pre‑K providers and a $50,000 state senator donation earmarked for the initiative.
Trustees asked specific questions about subgroup gaps, legal obligations around IEP supports, and whether students drop out for financial reasons. Piazza and other administrators described plans to expand language‑acquisition supports, career and technical options, and to analyze regional course access to narrow disparities.
The presentation closed with district goals for the year: a 4‑year graduation-rate target of 96% district‑wide, a goal of 90% for students with IEPs, and an 85% target for English language learners. Board members requested further regional and programmatic detail in coming meetings.
