96 percent of 2002 seniors earn diplomas

Advertiser Staff

The class of 2002 was the largest in four years, with more than 96 percent of the 11,059 seniors in public schools receiving diplomas.

The Department of Education said 10,452 students, or 94.5 percent, earned diplomas this year, compared with 10,102 last year. Another 217 students, or 2 percent, received certificates of completion by meeting requirements in programs designed for them.

But 390 seniors, or 3.5 percent, did not graduate with their class, an increase from 356 in 2001.

Eleven public schools had a 100 percent graduation rate: 'Anuenue (six graduates), Roosevelt (337), Nanakuli (182), Olomana (six), Hilo (380), Kohala (70), Konawaena (191), Laupahoehoe (17), Hana (29), Ni'ihau (five), and the Hawai'i Center for the Deaf and Blind (five).

The state Board of Education also awards special recognition diplomas to students who earn 24 credits and achieve a grade point average of at least 3.0. This year, 3,280 graduates earned this award.

Districts with the highest percentage of graduates are Central O'ahu (99 percent), Honolulu (97.4 percent), Kaua'i (97.1 percent), Leeward O'ahu (96.5 percent), Hawai'i (95.7 percent), Maui (94.7 percent), and Windward O'ahu (93.5 percent).