Report: Graduation rates lowest in Newburgh

A state report released Wednesday shows that the Newburgh School District has the worst graduation rate in Orange and Rockland counties.
Newburgh Free Academy Principal Peter Copeletti says the school has made improvements in English as a Second Language and mathematics, but its graduation rate is lagging, partly due to socio-economic problems in the community.
Only 64 percent of Newburgh students graduated by August 2009. Port Jervis, East Ramapo, Middletown and Haverstraw-Stony Point also have low rates.
However, Middletown High School boosted its graduation rate by 12 percent in one year.
Local school districts boasting the highest graduation rates include Pearl River, Nanuet, South Orangetown and Highland Falls.