Written by Seth Gordon, Newberg Graphic

According to data released by the Oregon Department of Education Jan. 28, the graduation rate across the state rose from 72 to 74 percent for the 2014-2015 school year.

Locally, the graduation rate at Newberg High School remained static at 76 percent, while St. Paul High School posted the same 95 percent figure from a year prior.

Oregon uses a cohort graduation rate that follows a class of students through four years of high school and measures the percentage that finish on time and in five years. 

The five-year completer rate for NHS was 82 percent, up from 78 from last year, and 95 percent for St. Paul, which remained the same from a year ago.

“I want to recognize the hard work by our students, families and our staff that this achievement represents,” said Superintendent Kym LeBlanc-Esparza. “This is the best two-year average we have seen.”

LeBlanc-Esparza acknowledged that report also revealed significant gaps in achievement, especially as it relates to poverty.

Specifically, she pointed to the 32 percent gap in the graduation rate between students divided by economic status, with 60 percent of those in poverty graduating in 2014-2015. That rate went down nearly six points from 2013-2014, while the percentage of non-economically disadvantaged students graduating rose nearly seven points to 92 percent.

The economic gap between graduates was 20 percent in 2014. Nearly 46 percent of the Class of 2015 is considered economically disadvantaged by federal standards.

“Poverty continues to present barriers to our student’s success,” said LeBlanc-Esparza. “It confirms we are doing the exact right work to ensure all students leave school with the skills needed to be successful.”

In November, the district held a training simulation in which nearly 400 staff members experienced typical barriers faced by low-income families. The district has also added a drop-out prevention and credit recovery position this year to focus on increasing success for at-risk students.

Because of its small size, swings in graduation rate at St. Paul High School can be caused by the achievement of a small number of students.

However, in both of the two previous years, St. Paul has graduated 21 of its 22 seniors.