Graduation rates up in Northern Virginia, steady statewide Nearly nine out of 10 public school students in Virginia graduated on time last spring, the governor's office announced Tuesday. The four-year graduation rate - 89 percent - was about the same as last year, but most school districts in Northern Virginia saw improvements. "The old saying remains true: to get a great job you need a great education," said Gov. Robert McDonnell (R) in a press release."More and more Virginia students are putting in the hard work, and getting that education. I applaud our students, parents, and teachers for making this progress possible. Of the students who entered high school in 2009, 49.7 percent earned a more rigorous Advanced Studies Diploma compared with 48.6 percent the year before, and 35.7 percent earned a Standard Diploma compared to 36.3 percent for the previous class. Just under 4 percent earned a Modified Standard or Special diploma for students with disabilities. On-time graduation has increased by about 8 points since 2008, the first year the state began calculation graduation rates in a new way. In that time, the graduation rate has risen 10 points for black students and 12 points for Hispanic students. See how your school district fared in the last two years: Alexandria City--86.2 up from 81.8 Arlington County--91.4 up from 89.2 Fairfax County--92 up from 91.3 Falls Church City--97.1 compared to 97.1 Fauquier County--94 up from 93.1 Loudoun County 95.7 up from 95.2 Manassas City 86.5 up from 80.3 Manassas Park City 81.5 down from 85.1 Prince William County 89.6 up from 89.1