SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Syracuse City School District's June graduation rate exceeded 60 percent last year, for the first time in 10 years.

Syracuse high schools showed the largest gains on graduation rates of the five biggest school districts in the state, according to data released by the State Education Department today.

Syracuse's 2015 graduation rate was 54.5 percent. In 2016, 60.9 percent of students graduated on time.

The overall graduation rate for New York state also inched upward this year, to 79.4 percent from 78.1 percent last year. The state's graduation rate is up more than 10 percent from where it was 10 years ago.

In Syracuse, all five high schools improved their graduation rates. Two lept 10 percentage points in a single year.

Here's a breakdown of how each of the Syracuse high schools did last year:

Corcoran: 64 percent, up from 61 percent the year before

Fowler: 44 percent, up from 34 percent

Henninger: 61 percent, up from 55 percent

Institute of Technology at Central: 89 percent, up from 79 percent

Nottingham: 66 percent, up from 62 percent

State education officials applauded the improvements, but said schools still have a long way to go, especially to close achievement gaps.

While statewide graduation rates for black and Latino students improved by 3 percent this year, their rates are still around 68 percent, compared with an 88 percent graduation rate among white students in the state.

Gaps also narrowed between low and and high needs districts, students with disabilities, and students who don't speak English proficiently, but Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia said in a statement that closing these gaps would be a priority for her department in the coming years.

In Syracuse, black and multiracial students slightly outperformed their white peers when it came to graduation rates. Black and white students' rates are both around 64 percent, white Latino students trail at 48 percent.

Syracuse's dropout rate remained unchanged, at 16 percent. The statewide dropout rate is 6.5 percent.

Mayor Stephanie Miner commended Syracuse Interim Superintendent Jaime Alicea, his staff, teachers, students and parents for helping to improve the city's graduation rates.

She attributed improvements in part to increased career and technical programs in the district and building updates at several schools.

"We have worked diligently to improve the conditions in our schools," Miner said in a statement. "While our work is not yet done, I look forward to continued progress in our city schools."

Reporter Julie McMahon covers Syracuse University and Syracuse city schools. She can be reached anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992