Bend-La Pine graduation rate tops state

Students at Bend-La Pine Schools are graduating at a higher rate than their peers around the state, according to data released Thursday by the Oregon Department of Education.

For 2013-14, the graduation rate at Bend-La Pine Schools was 77.2 percent, compared with 72 percent for the state. During the past five years, the district’s graduation rate has fairly steadily improved, up nearly 9 percentage points since posting a rate of 68.6 percent in 2008-09.

“The steady track of growth in our graduation rate is a tribute to our district’s focus on all students from all backgrounds,” said Superintendent Ron Wilkinson.

Wilkinson credits several changes in the district for the improvement, including staff-mentoring programs, a focus on results for every student and emphasis on college and career readiness.

Graduation rates for the district’s high schools varied, but generally exceeded the overall state rate.

The graduation rates for local high schools were: 92.5 percent at Summit High School; 85.9 percent at Mountain View High School; 83 percent at Bend Senior High School; and 71.7 percent at La Pine High School.

Marshall High School, where many students enter credit-deficient for graduation, had a four-year graduation rate of 33.3 percent and a five-year graduation rate of 48.9 percent.

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.

Students who take five years to graduate are included in a five-year graduation rate. The district’s five-year graduation rate has also climbed steadily, increasing from 68.9 percent in 2009-10 to 82 percent in 2013-14.

Recent Four-Year Graduation Rate Data for Bend-La Pine Schools:

This year’s graduation rate is about 1 percentage point less than the district reported in 2012-13, but continues an overall upward trend.

2013-14: 77.2 percent2010-11: 68.2 percent

2012-13: 78.6 percent2009-10: 72.8 percent

2011-12: 72.2 percent2008-09: 68.6 percent

For more information visit: www.ode.state.or.us