The California Department of Education released data Tuesday showing graduation numbers are up in the district.
Hoover High School Senior, Tyler Wilkenson started veering off the right path to graduation early on.
"I started getting into a lot of fights, things such as that," said Wilkenson.
Wilkenson said through mentor programs he learned the value of a good education.
"To me, high school is one of those stepping stones you have to take to get to the real world," said Wilkenson.
Numbers released by the California Department of Education shows more Fresno high school students are graduating.
In 2012, nearly 75 % of high school students in Fresno graduated, up from around 73% in 2011. That's 7 out of 10, but the district wants to do better..
"If my kid is one of the three left out...7 out of 10 is not nearly good enough," said Fresno Unified School District Superintendent, Michael Hanson.
Some of the schools with increased graduation rates include Bullard at 92%, Edison at 90%, Fresno High at 79% and Hoover at 81%.
Local parents are happy to hear the good news.
"I think it's wonderful, because the kids they really do work hard and the teachers are very helpful," said Tammy McHenry. She has two boys going to school at Hoover High.
A fairly new system from the Department of Education, known as CALPADS, is boosting graduation rates. It issues a unique student identification number that tracks students. Before CALPADS, students who left a school district were counted as dropouts, but that's no longer the case.
"A kid with a high school diploma is a heck of a lot less likely to end up on the public dime in a variety of ways," said Superintendent Hanson.
Graduation is about 8 weeks out and Wilkenson couldn't be happier. He plans to attend medical school.
Click the related link to find out how your school is doing.
Hoover High School Senior, Tyler Wilkenson started veering off the right path to graduation early on.
"I started getting into a lot of fights, things such as that," said Wilkenson.
Wilkenson said through mentor programs he learned the value of a good education.
"To me, high school is one of those stepping stones you have to take to get to the real world," said Wilkenson.
Numbers released by the California Department of Education shows more Fresno high school students are graduating.
In 2012, nearly 75 % of high school students in Fresno graduated, up from around 73% in 2011. That's 7 out of 10, but the district wants to do better..
"If my kid is one of the three left out...7 out of 10 is not nearly good enough," said Fresno Unified School District Superintendent, Michael Hanson.
Some of the schools with increased graduation rates include Bullard at 92%, Edison at 90%, Fresno High at 79% and Hoover at 81%.
Local parents are happy to hear the good news.
"I think it's wonderful, because the kids they really do work hard and the teachers are very helpful," said Tammy McHenry. She has two boys going to school at Hoover High.
A fairly new system from the Department of Education, known as CALPADS, is boosting graduation rates. It issues a unique student identification number that tracks students. Before CALPADS, students who left a school district were counted as dropouts, but that's no longer the case.
"A kid with a high school diploma is a heck of a lot less likely to end up on the public dime in a variety of ways," said Superintendent Hanson.
Graduation is about 8 weeks out and Wilkenson couldn't be happier. He plans to attend medical school.
Click the related link to find out how your school is doing.