Graduation rates drop in P.G., edge up in Montgomery

BALTIMORE — The percentage of students earning their high school diplomas within four years dropped in Prince George’s County, while the number of graduates continues to rise in Montgomery County, according to 2011 data released by the State Education Department on Wednesday.

In Montgomery, 86.8 percent of students graduated on time in 2011, up slightly from 86.2 percent in 2010. Black and Hispanic students made the most significant strides — 78.1 percent to 81.3 percent for black students and 74.2 percent to 75.3 percent for Latinos — although they were still outperformed by their white and Asian peers.