On the last day of the school year, New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein attended the Bronx Lab graduation Thursday and looked back on the academic year.

Klein said the high minority, high poverty school has made impressive strides in the last four years thanks to the principal, who recruited talented teachers. Now, Bronx Lab boasts a near perfect graduation rate.

?Bronx Lab has been great,? said Elaine Evans, a parent. ?The teachers, the staff are so helpful. My son excelled.?

Klein also addressed some negative issues, like the budget cuts in the Department of Education, saying that the decision is up to the mayor, especially in a weak economy. But he believes the schools will adjust to the situation with little impact on the quality of teaching.

Klein said there is a need to improve the pre-K and middle school admissions process. To do that, he said, the process must begin earlier in the school year, and educators have to provide more information about it to people in the community.

The schools chancellor also touted test scores citywide, saying that from 2002 to 2008, the city?s numbers are very powerful in comparison with the state?s.

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