Schools
Souhegan High Has Low Dropout Rate
Only four students left the high school during the last school year.
Keep ordering those diplomas because Souhegan High School students are serious about graduating.
The high school had only four students leave during the 2010-11 school year, according to the latest report from New Hampshire Education Commissioner Virginia M. Barry.
Two of these students were "early exit non-graduates," meaning that they pursued college or a GED after leaving their school. The other two dropped out without pursuing either of these.
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New Hampshire has one of the lowest dropout rate in the country at 1.19 percent, although it has increased slightly this year, according to Barry. The previous school year showed a dropout rate of .97 percent in the state.
“The data contained in this report shows the schools continue to make progress in ensuring more of our young people receive their diploma. It also shows our intensive efforts to identify and reach those most at-risk have been successful,” said Commissioner Barry.
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Since the 2007-2008 school year, when the state began an intensive focus on reducing the number of high school dropouts and ensuring more young people received a diploma, the dropout rate has been cut by more than 50 percent.
Five high schools have reported no dropouts in the past two school years, which are Mascenic, Hinsdale, Pittsburg, Sunapee and the Academy for Science and Design Charter.
Other high schools have reported no dropouts this year include Colebrook, Gorham, Hopkinton, Lin-wood, Oyster River, Belmont, Windham, Cocheco Arts and Technology Charter Academy, Academy for Science and Design Charter and Virtual Learning Academy Charter.
“This is clear evidence that our dropout prevention programs, put in place to complement the increase in the state’s compulsory attendance age are in fact working,” Commissioner Barry said.
A complete list of early exit and dropout rates for 2010-2011, including definitions and calculation methods, can be found here.
For more information about dropout prevention programs contact Paul Leather at (603) 271-3801 or Paul.Leather@doe.nh.gov.
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