Five High Schools Boast 100 Percent Graduation Rates
Overall graduation rate for Guilford County Schools is up for the 2009-10 school year
Contact: Laurie Hogan (336) 370-8307
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Five of the district’s high schools had 100 percent graduation rates for the 2009-10 school year according to preliminary data. The Academy at Smith, Greensboro College Middle College, The Early College at Guilford, Penn-Griffin School for the Arts and Weaver Academy, all magnet and choice schools, led Guilford County Schools (GCS) by achieving a graduation rate of 100 percent. Including these five schools, a total of 12 schools had graduation rates higher than 90 percent.
Overall, the 2009-10 graduation rate for GCS increased to 80.7 percent, up from 79.9 percent in 2008-09. According to preliminary data, the graduation rate climbed for the fourth year in a row. This is the highest graduation rate for GCS since the N.C. Department of Public Instruction established its four-year cohort measure in 2006.
In North Carolina, the graduation rate is calculated as the number of students who graduated with a diploma at the end of the school year divided by the number of students in the ninth grade four years earlier plus students who transferred into the class and minus students who transferred out of the class or are deceased. Last year, three GCS schools were among only seven schools statewide to achieve a 100 percent graduation rate. The State Board of Education will verify the preliminary graduation rate data and release statewide results later this year.
The Academy at Smith, one of the schools that achieved a 100 percent graduation rate, provides its students with a focused study in medical careers or construction technology. Students enrolled in these programs have the opportunity to earn state and nationally recognized certifications, participate in apprenticeships and internships and earn college credit from Guilford Technical Community College during their senior year.
Greensboro College Middle College provides small class sizes and individualized student support on the campus of Greensboro College. The school offers an honors-level high school curriculum and the opportunity for students to enroll in college courses. It is open to creative and free-spirited students in 11th and 12th grades who may be dissatisfied with or unsuccessful in the traditional high school setting.
The Early College at Guilford was established in 2002 as North Carolina’s first early college high school. The school offers an intensive college preparatory education on the campus of Guilford College. Students are able to take a full array of advanced and college-level courses taught by both GCS teachers and college professors throughout high school. Students work with their academic advisers to build course schedules that meet their individual needs.
Penn-Griffin School for the Arts is a performing and visual arts school serving students in grades six through 12. In addition to traditional core courses, the school offers classes in orchestra, band, chorus, classical guitar, piano, dance, theatre and visual arts. Students explore all of the arts areas at the beginning of middle school and continue in a formal study of their arts concentration later in middle school and in high school. Weaver Academy students participate in both a fulltime Academy of Performing and Visual Arts and a part-time Academy of Advanced Technology. The full-time high school provides students with career preparation in an artistic discipline. The part-time career and technical education program provides specialized courses to students from many of the district’s traditional high schools.
http://www.gcsnc.com/pdfs/10gradrates.pdf
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About Guilford County Schools
Guilford County Schools is the third largest school district in North Carolina serving more than 71,000 students at 121 schools. With approximately 10,000 employees, the district’s mission is to graduate responsible citizens prepared to succeed in higher education or the career of their choice.
Guilford County Schools is a national leader in providing specialized schools and instructional programs designed to meet the educational needs of a culturally diverse citizenship. For more information, visit the district’s website at www.gcsnc.com.
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