It is the highest number in five years, and it comes amid a debate about how many charters the city can and should support.

To the discomfort of many a graduate, this week’s heat wave happens to coincide with the last week of classes for D.C. public schools, and students around the city are proudly perspiring beneath their polyester gowns as local schools hold their graduation ceremonies. In less hot graduation news, Education Week’s annual “Diplomas Count” report has released a dismal assessment of the District’s ability to graduate its students – only 57.6 percent of District 9th graders…