District Celebrates Improved Graduation Rates
(Athena-Weston) – The Oregon Department of Education released statewide graduation rate data for the Class of 2023 on Thursday, January 25. The statewide rate for 2022-2023 students is 81.3%, tying the previous class (21-22) as the second highest graduation rate ever recorded in Oregon.
Athena-Weston School District’s Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate (students who earn their regular diploma in four years) for the 2022-2023 academic year is 92.2%, which is:
- a 2.9 percentage point increase from the district’s previous year’s four-year cohort graduation rate of 89.3%
- 10.9 percentage points above the statewide graduation rate of 81.3%
Athena-Weston School District’s Five-Year Cohort Completer Rate for the 22-23 academic year is 91.2%. This rate includes students who received a modified diploma and those who earned their diplomas but had not yet received them because they were returning for a 5th year of high school to earn college credits. Completers currently include students who earn a diploma type (Oregon regular and modified diplomas, extended diplomas, or Adult High School diplomas) as well as students who earn a General Equivalency Degree (GED).
- 7.9 percentage point increase from the previous year’s five-year cohort completer rate of 83.3%
Ann Vescio, Superintendent of the district, said the graduation rate increases reflect the efforts of the entire Weston-McEwen High School team in supporting students who have faced the challenge of attending high school during and following an unprecedented global pandemic. Some of the district efforts are:
- The high school staff has worked tirelessly to offer year-round academic support and credit-recovery options for students.
- The district’s Student Support Team has provided on-site social-emotional and mental health support to students .
- The small-size of the Athena-Weston School District allows the staff and administrative team to focus on the progress and needs of individual students in order to improve academic outcomes.
- Attendance continues to be the greatest barrier to academic success and on-time graduation for students. The district’s Student Support Team has focused heavily on assisting families who face attendance challenges in order to continue to improve academic outcomes for all students.
“The Athena-Weston School District is unwavering in its goal of ensuring that every student will graduate from high school ready to actively pursue post-secondary academics, career, citizenship, and lifelong learning goals,” Vescio said.