C-Falls graduation rate fell last year

Graduation rates at Columbia Falls, Flathead and Glacier high schools have improved since 2008-2009, but they dipped below 2012 numbers last year. Meanwhile, graduation rates at Whitefish and Bigfork have continued to improve.

According to the Montana Office of Public Instruction, the graduation rate at Columbia Falls High School improved from 82.49 percent to 86.29 percent from 2011 to 2012 before falling to 80.35 percent in 2013.

Meanwhile, the graduation rate at Whitefish High School improved from a dismal 78.57 percent in 2011 to 90.74 percent last year, and the rate at Bigfork High School improved from 87.8 percent in 2011 to 93.65 percent in 2013.

The numbers are representative of an “adjusted cohort rate,” which counts ninth-graders through high school graduation over a four-year period. The numbers are adjusted for students transferring in and out of a school, and students who take more than four years to graduate and students who turn 19 prior to achieving their diploma are not counted.

Statewide, the graduation rate from 2009 to 2013 increased from 80.7 percent to 84.4 percent. The Bigfork and Whitefish high schools were the only high schools to surpass the state in graduation gains and dropout rate reductions. Bigfork led all high schools for a second year.

OPI recently released the graduation and dropout report showing how local schools fared in 2013. The release coincides with Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau’s announcement that OPI provided $203,000 in grants to 35 communities as part of its Graduation Matters Montana program.

According to OPI’s report, 139 students graduated from Columbia Falls High School last year. Seventy-four students who were economically disadvantaged and 10 in special education received diplomas.

Principal Scott Gaiser said Columbia Falls employs a number of programs and strategies to tackle graduation numbers, including peer tutoring, academic coaching and advisement periods.

“Efforts by the Graduation Matters initiative have prompted more community awareness and support in the form of guest speakers, job-shadow opportunities and mentors,” he said.

Columbia Falls has gained ground in reducing the number of dropouts from 5.8 percent in 2008-09 to 3.9 percent in 2013, he said, a positive direction for the school. The most important element in improving graduation rates and student retention is a school climate in which students and staff feel safe, respected and cared about, he said.

“We continue to strive to do just that to the best of our ability,” Gaiser said.

Juneau, who was in the Flathead on March 12, said dropout rates are highest in grades 11 and 12, accounting for 65 percent of all dropouts in Montana.

Noting that 122 students who were 19 years or older were enrolled in the fall semester and 93 in the spring semester during the 2012-2013 school year, Juneau reinforced her commitment to introducing legislation to raise the legal dropout age to “age 18 or upon graduation” and providing state funding for students who are older than 18.