Graduation rates to show how many finish high school

For the first time, the province has released school board level graduation rates designed to reveal how many students are finishing high school.

The Ministry of Education released the rates Wednesday. The provincial rate of students graduating within five years of starting high school was 84 per cent in 2014. The percentage of students graduating in four years is 76 per cent.

This is the first time that graduation rates have been calculated using a common province-wide formula, but there are still questions about which students are included the the formula. For example, data used to include students who moved out of the province, or died.  It doesn’t include students who receive certificates.

In Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB) the rate of students graduating within five years of starting secondary school was 74 per cent in 2014, representing 1,038 students. The four-year graduation rate was 64 per cent. Of the 1,296 students who began Grade 9 in HPEDSB and remained in the board schools, 88 per cent graduated within four or five years.

At the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board 90 per cent of students graduate within five years and 86 per cent of students graduate within four years.

“One of our organizational goals is ‘Success for Each Student’,” said Dwayne Inch, chairman of the school board. “Through the combined efforts of our employees, families and community partners, our students are well-supported to achieve success in their chosen pathway.”

Graduating with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) requires students to complete 30 credits (16 compulsory), 40 community volunteer hours and have met the literacy requirements.

Some students complete secondary school with an Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC) or a Certificate of Accomplishment (CA). The graduation rates do not include students who achieve these alternate certificates, and do not include students who are developing life skills to proceed from secondary school to supported community living.

“We know that when students come to our system and stay in our system, they are highly successful,” said Mandy Savery-Whiteway, Director of Education. “As a public school board, Hastings Prince Edward District School Board is committed to providing outstanding educational experiences for all students in all course types.”