GUELPH – Between 82 and 91 per cent of students from local school boards graduate high school within four years of starting Grade 9.
That’s according to data released last month by the Ontario Ministry of Education.
These graduation rates are separated into three categories:
– percent of students who graduated within four years of starting Grade 9 in 2017;
– percent of students who graduated within five years of starting Grade 9 in 2017; and
– percent of students who graduated within four years of starting Grade 9 in 2018.
In all three reported categories, the Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) has higher rates of graduation than average for Ontario school boards, while the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) falls slightly behind provincial averages.
Four-year graduation rates
In the WCDSB, 88.7 per cent of students who began Grade 9 in 2017 graduated in 2021 and 90.7% of students who began Grade 9 in 2018 graduated in 2022: within four school years of starting high school.
In the UGDSB, 82.4% graduated within four years of starting Grade 9 in 2017, and 84.2% within four years of starting Grade 9 in 2018.
This compares to provincial averages of 83.9% for the 2017 cohort and 84.9% for 2018.
Five-year graduation rates
In the WCDSB 94% of students who started Grade 9 in 2017 graduated within five years, and in the UGDSB 88.8% of the same cohort graduated within five years.
This compares to the provincial average of 89.1%.
The rate of five-year graduation for students who started Grade 9 in 2018 is not yet available.
Board director’s comments
WCDSB director Michael Glazier presented the Catholic board’s graduation rates during a board meeting on Jan. 15, and called the numbers a “success story.”
He thanked teachers, educational assistants, guidance staff, principals and students for their efforts.
What sets the WCDSB apart, Glazier said, is “We know our students by name. We know their outcomes. We push that much harder for their graduation.”
UGDSB associate director Brent McDonald told the Advertiser the board is “pleased to see an increase in the UGDSB’s graduation rate.”
“The work we are doing to improve graduation rates crosses over many service areas,” to ensure all students have opportunities for success, he continued, and includes recently hiring an Indigenous Education Graduation Coach.
To graduate from high school students must earn at least 30 credits (including 18 compulsory courses and 12 electives, two of which must be online learning credits), meet the provincial literacy requirement, and complete 40 hours of community involvement activities.
