(WKTV) - The State Department of Education has released high school graduation rates; numbers that will leave some local schools celebrating and others, trying to find ways to improve dismal numbers.

In Oneida County, New Hartford Central Schools were the star, with a graduation rate of 97% and a dropout rate of only 1%.

Utica's Proctor High School saw a much lower, 63% graduation rate and 19% dropout rate, meaning nearly one in five students will drop out of that high school. But Utica's school superintendent says that, when you look at certain factors, that graduation rate climbs to 91%, and the dropout rate plummets closer to 5%.

"The state doesn't take into account the GED, the IEP diplomas for special ed kids plus it doesn't take into account the huge transient population because we have kids come in and leaving during our high school year," said Superintendent Jim Willis.

Officials with New Hartford Central Schools say their students are a big component to their continued success.

"Our success really starts with out student body; they come to school and they want to learn and by and large they do what the teachers ask from them and they try their hardest. That comes from families, we have strong family support, " said Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Vincent Condro. Condro credits the staff as well.

"We have favorable class sizes in our classes and we have up to date curriculum materials and we do have a terrific teaching staff. One of the things we pride ourselves on is trying to provide professional development throughout a teacher's career."

The high achiever in Herkimer County was Town of Webb Union Free School District with a 93% graduation rate and a dropout rate of 0%.

Mohawk Central Schools saw a 67% graduation rate and a 10% dropout rate.

In Otsego County, Cherry Valley Springfield Central Schools saw the highest graduation rate of 86% and a dropout rate of 0%.

That county's Otego-Unadilla Central School District saw a graduation rate of 61% and a dropout rate of 14%.

Click here to view the full report and find where your school district ranks.