PRESS RELEASE:

Bend-La Pine Schools celebrates its highest graduation rate on record – 81.9 percent – marking an increase of nearly 14 percentage points over the last seven years, according to a report released by the Oregon Department of Education today.

All high schools in Bend-La Pine Schools celebrated an increase in graduation rate and the district outpaced the average graduation rate from the state by more than 3 percentage points. The graduation rate for students of underserved races/ethnicities in Bend-La Pine Schools climbed nearly 8 percentage points to 67.8 percent, including a more than 10-point jump for Hispanic students. Additionally, Bend-La Pine Schools saw graduation rate increase among many student groups including: black students, economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities and English language learners in high school, among others.

School highlights:

• Bend Senior High School recorded a graduation rate of 91 percent, up about 2 percentage points, surpassing the highest graduation rate on record for the school.
• La Pine High School’s graduation rate increased nearly 8 percentage points over last year to 77.1 percent.
• Marshall High School’s graduation rate increased more than 11 percentage points to the highest grad rate on record for the school (44.6 percent).
• Mountain View High School’s graduation rate jumped more than 4 percentage points (to 87.1 percent) and the grad rate among students of underserved races and ethnicities jumped more than 13 percentage points to 80 percent.
• Summit High School’s graduation rate increased to 91.6 percent.

“Today I want to recognize our many dedicated staff members and their commitment to building positive relationships with students because it is those connections that make all the difference,” said Superintendent Shay Mikalson. “Their commitment to knowing every student by name, strength and need has helped us reach this milestone accomplishment. While we are celebrating today, we also will not be satisfied until all of our students graduate ready for the future that they choose.”

Mikalson points to a number of efforts begun in recent years to bolster graduation rates, including, among others, the hiring of graduation coaches to serve in high schools; increased use of student data to ensure students who are getting off track receive interventions and staff support; and additional options at the high school level – from enhanced career and technical courses to robust arts and music offerings - designed to keep all students engaged.

“This increase in graduation rate did not happen by chance. We have put systems and people in place to try to keep all students on a track to graduation,” said Mikalson. “I am proud today to see these efforts paying off in increased graduate rates across the board.”

About the Numbers: The graduation rate tracks students beginning in ninth grade and measures how many of those students graduate within four years. The rate is adjusted for students moving in or out of the district.

• 2017-18: 81.9 percent
• 2016-17: 78.7 percent
• 2015-16: 77.5 percent
• 2014-15: 77.2 percent
• 2013-14: 77.2 percent
• 2012-13: 78.6 percent
• 2011-12: 72.2 percent
• 2010-11: 68.2 percent