Area high schools saw a mixed bag of results on Friday when the Indiana Department of Education released 2015 graduation rates.
Statewide, the actual graduation rate of students who graduate in four years or less decreased slightly from nearly 90 percent to 88.9 percent.
In Montgomery County, the largest increase in the graduation rate was North Montgomery, who saw their 2014 rate of 96.1 percent move up to 99.3 percent.
North Montgomery Community Schools Superintendent Coleen Moran was pleased with the improvement and credited the whole North Montgomery community for the district’s success.
“NMHS administrators, counselors and teachers do a great job of supporting our students,” Moran said “We provide multiple layers of support such our in-house Learning Lab for credit recovery, the 45-minute bonus period three days per week with transportation, and we are fortunate to have the Montgomery County Alternative School. We also have students and parents who are willing to take advantage of these interventions.”
Locally, Turkey Run had a rate improvement with an increase of 4.2 percentage points. The Parke County school’s rate increased from 80 percent in 2014 to 84.2 percent in 2015. Attica improved 11.2 percent.
Crawfordsville and Southmont followed the state trend and saw their graduation rates drop slightly from 2014, but they still rank above the state average.
Crawfordsville’s rate fell from the 2014 rate of 98.7 percent to 96.7 percent, while Southmont went from 98.3 to 97.4 percent.
South Montgomery School Corporation Superintendent Shawn Greiner said the change in senior classes sizes can make a big difference for graduation rates.
“We are pleased with our graduation rate,” Greiner said. “The percentage rate for graduation can fluctuate significantly with the increase or decrease of one or two students given each class is near 150 students or less per class. Our counselors and teachers work closely with our students to ensure our students have the supports in place to be successful. Additionally, we have a Response to Intervention process in place to provide additional support when necessary for specific students.”
In a news article reported by the Associated Press, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz said the state’s high school graduation rate has risen from 78.4 percent over the last decade. She said she was pleased with progress to increase the rate.
“However, there is still work to be done to address the diverse needs of students across our state and to close the achievement gaps between student populations,” Ritz told the A.P.
By The Numbers:
Local schools graduation rates
School 2015 2014
Attica 98.5% 87.3%
Covington 94.4% 94.9%
Crawfordsville 96.7% 98.7%
Fountain Central 92.4% 93.5%
North Montgomery 99.3% 96.1%
North Putnam 90.9% 94.2%
Southmont 97.4% 98.3%
Turkey Run 84.2% 80.0%
Western Boone 98.5% 98.1%
2015 Indiana Student Demographic Graduate Rates
Asian 93.3%
Black 79.0%
Hispanic 85.5%
White 90.8%
Female 90.8%
Male 87.0%
Paid meals 94.4%
Free/reduced lunch 85.4%
Public schools 88.7%
Non-public schools 91.6%
