The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) announced that high school graduation rates in Florida are on the rise. Overall, Collier County’s graduation rate climbed to 88.2 percent, which is an increase of 1.5 percent over 2016. Since the 2011 school year, the graduation rate has increased by 15.7 percent. Immokalee High School has played a significant role in Collier County’s increasing graduation rate. In fact, for fiscal year 2011, the graduation rate at Immokalee High was just 64.7 percent. Today, that number stands at 91 percent. In 2011, Immokalee High School ranked second to last with Golden Gate High School coming in last at 60.9 percent. Today, Immokalee High School is ranked 6th out 9 schools in Collier County in terms of graduation rates only. It’s important to point out that although the graduation rate in Collier County stands at 88.2 percent and Immokalee High School’s graduation rate stands at 91 percent, those numbers do not include those who complete GED programs. “We appreciate the efforts of our dedicated teachers, staff, parents, and our strong community partners in supporting our students. With an increase in the graduation rate, more students are ready to pursue higher education and career opportunities. Increased graduation rates can be attributed to an ongoing strategic focus on student achievement, professional learning for staff, and an ongoing emphasis on school readiness at all levels” said Dr. Patton, Superintendent of Collier County Public Schools.