According to information released by the Florida Department of Education, the graduation rate for all Brevard Public Schools rose from 86.2 percent to 87.5 percent this year. The state percentage rose to 80.7 percent, 2.8 percent over last year’s rate.

The new numbers are significant, according to Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Desmond Blackburn.

“We have seen an increase in our graduation rate going from last year’s rate of 86.2% to 87.5% this year,” Blackburn said in a press release. “This makes our 15-16 graduation rate the highest it’s been in five years.”

Florida Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart celebrated the rising percentage rates.

“I am proud of Florida’s students for their outstanding achievement, even as the bar has been steadily raised,” Stewart said in a press release. “These results are a testament to their hard work and the benefit of Florida’s accountability system, which hinges on transparency and rewards progress every step of the way.”

By Justin Ho