New York Schools Chancellor Joel Klein announced a graduation rate of over 70 percent for the new small schools across the Bronx and the city.

The new school initiative that began as a replacement strategy for large, failing high schools seems to be working, according to June?s preliminary numbers. Graduation rates exceeded 70 percent at the smaller schools for the second straight year.

Students said they like the smaller schools due to the individual attention they receive. However, Klein acknowledged the smaller schools don?t represent the population of many larger high schools throughout the area. According to Klein, the population is different due to the lack of special education students and English language learners.

Klein also announced a $10 million grant was awarded to the city by the Carnegie Corporation. The Department of Education said the funding will prepare more than 10,000 city students for college.