In The News: Newberg graduation rates rise in 2016

Written by: Seth Gordon, Newberg Graphic 

Mirroring gains made statewide, the Newberg and St. Paul school districts saw their graduation rates for the class of 2016 rise over three percent from the previous year.

Newberg High School's four-year cohort graduation rate rose from 75.7 percent in 2015 to 79.3, marking a high since Oregon began reporting cohort graduation rates in 2009.

The NHS graduation rate hit a low of 70.0 percent in 2013, falling from the previous high of 78.2 percent in 2012, but made steady gains the past three years.

"This increase in the percentage of students who are graduating in the Newberg School District really is a reflection of very focused work in our system," Superintendent Kym LeBlanc-Esparza said. "We asked staff to commit to a belief of 'All Means All' and these numbers are reflective of that commitment. We have also engaged with community partners so that every student has the opportunity to experience relevant 21st century teaching and learning."

St. Paul High School saw its rate rise from 89.29 to 92.86 percent, marking the fourth time in eight years the school has graduated over 90 percent of students. St. Paul had a perfect 100 percent rate in 2009, when all 15 students graduated, and also posted a rate of 95.45 in 2014.

"I'm pretty excited about the district's success with respect to academic programs and getting kids graduated on time," St. Paul superintendent Joe Wehrli said.

Wehrli added that he believes a high attendance rate at the high school is a big factor in the school's consistently high graduation rate.

"The staff at the middle/high school deserves the credit for that," Wehrli said. "It's a climate and a culture that's welcoming to students and they want to be at school."

The state average rose just under three points to 74.8 percent in 2016, marking the second straight year the rate has increased. Included in the rate are those students that began high school in the 2012-13 school year and achieved a regular or modified diploma by August 31, 2016.

For instance, of the 28 students in the St. Paul class of 2016, 23 were awarded a diploma and another three earned modified diplomas, so 26 qualified for the four-year cohort graduation rate.

Newberg graduated 303 students in June of 2016, 29 more than in 2015, while St. Paul's cohort of 28 students was the school's largest in the last eight years.

Newberg's five-year cohort (students entering in 2011-12) graduate rate fell slightly from 82.2 percent a year ago to 81.0 in 2016, while St. Paul's also fell from 94.45 to 89.29 in the same span.

LeBlanc-Esparza pointed out significant gains at NHS among students overcoming barriers of poverty and disabilities.

The graduation rate among economically disadvantaged students rose 11.2 points to 67.2 percent in 2016, with 67.9 percent of NHS students with disabilities graduated in 2016, a rise of 32.8 points.

Graduating new students with limited proficiency in English and who enter the district during their mid-high school years continues to be a challenge, though, as 40 percent achieved a diploma, a slight drop from 44 percent in 2015.

"While we still have work to do to successfully reach graduation with every student, the work we have done over the last few years gives very strong evidence that we are doing the right work and moving in a positive direction for all kids," LeBlanc-Esparza said.

Oregon is now tracking the progress of graduates earning a half credit or more in Career Technical Education (CTE) courses. Of the 301 Newberg students falling in this category, 86 percent achieved a diploma, while St. Paul posted a rate of 95.7.

"I am very proud of the work our staff is doing in the Newberg School District," LeBlanc-Esparza said. "Change can be challenging, but our staff is committed to ensuring that every student has an opportunity to learn through authentic experiences that help them build 21st century skills. Our increase in graduation rate is the result of commitment to better outcomes for every student and a collective responsibility for making it happen."