The Trillium Lakelands District School Board graduation rates are in the top third of English Language school boards according to recent data released from the Ministry of Education.
The numbers show a 76.9% graduation rate for students who graduated within four years and 84.5% for students who graduated within five years.
“That’s an increase of 3.6% in our four-year rate and a 2.3% increase in our five-year rate since last year, “ states Director Larry Hope, “and we will continue to help our students to have a successful high school experience, whether they are pursuing a secondary school diploma, certificate of learning, or life-skills credential. We want those years to be meaningful, productive, and positive.”
The board gives some credit to the success of experiential learning programs in secondary schools such as Ontario Youth Apprenticeship programs, Specialist High Skills Majors, and college dual credit programs which have flourished in the last several years.
“We continue to address ways to re-engage the 9% of students who leave high school early,” said Superintendent Bruce Barrett, “Certainly our specialized programs, differing models of delivery like virtual learning, and our adult and alternative sites have had a marked and positive impact but we know we can do more.”
The board notes that alternate education centres in all areas of the school board offer opportunities beyond high school for adults of any age to obtain their diploma. They say earning a high school diploma has an enormous personal and social impact on the lives of people whenever it is attained.
“We are persistent and varied in our approach, and steadfast in our belief that graduation is an important milestone for our students on their journey to life after high school,” says School Board Chair Louise Clodd, “That means we do our best to meet student needs whether that is during their teen years, or even following them into adulthood to provide opportunities to graduate.
”photo credit: Merrimack College Commencement 2013 via photopin (license)
