The Webster County School District is ranked in the Top 20 for high school graduation rates in Mississippi for 2017-18.
The Mississippi Department of Education released the high school graduation rates for the previous school year on Jan. 17. Webster County’s graduation rate is 89.8 percent, which is nearly 5½ percent above the state average.
“I’m very proud of our district,” Superintendent Brian Jones said. “This means we are graduating our students on time and helps to ensure that our students are college and/or career ready.”
The district had the 20th-highest graduation rate in the state. The Mississippi School for Math and Science in Columbus had the highest rate at 100 percent.
MDE data shows the state’s graduation rate has hit an all-time high of 84 percent, reaching the most recent national graduation rate.
The graduation rate for students with disabilities increased for the fifth consecutive year to 38.4 percent, up from 23.2 percent in 2014. The state’s dropout rate fell to an historic low of 10.1 percent, a decrease from 13.9 percent in 2014. (See local subgroup rates in sidebar.)
“Students, parents, teachers and administrators should be proud of the class of 2018’s significant achievement,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “I congratulate our school districts for helping students complete high school prepared for college, postsecondary training, the military and the workforce.”
The Mississippi State Board of Education approved new diploma options starting in the 2018-19 school year that give students the opportunity to earn an endorsement with their high school diploma and provide the majority of students with disabilities an opportunity to earn a traditional diploma.
The new diploma options include a traditional diploma for all students and an alternate diploma option for students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities. Starting in the ninth grade, students now choose whether they want to work toward a traditional diploma, or take additional classes to earn an academic, distinguished academic or career and technical education endorsement. Students can earn more than one endorsement.
Each diploma option will prepare students to be successful after graduation, whether that be in the workforce, a career and technical training program, the military or college. Also, beginning with freshmen in 2018-19, students who earn an academic or distinguished academic diploma endorsement from a public high school will automatically qualify for admission into any of the state’s public universities.
Graduation rates for 2017-18 will be reflected in the accountability ratings for the 2018-19 school year.
