NEW YORK — New York City’s four-year high school graduation rate has risen to 59 percent.

The state education department released new figures showing the city’s rate is up from 56.4 percent for the 2008 academic year.

Nearly 10 percent more city students graduated in a fifth year of high school.

The statewide rate went up slightly from the previous year, from 70.9 to 71.8 percent.

The state last year began issuing figures that include students who graduate in August after meeting requirements over the summer.

The statewide four-year rate is more than 74 percent with August graduates.