Columbia and Marion County schools both saw substantial improvements in their graduation rate this past year, according to newly released data from the Mississippi Department of Education.
Columbia High School had the sixth-highest graduation rate in the state at 94.3 percent for the class of 2018. That was up from 88.4 percent in 2017.
Marion County saw an even bigger improvement. Its graduation rate rose from 77.5 percent to 91.1 percent, 12th in the state. East Marion’s rate was 94 percent, while West Marion’s was 89.6 percent.
Columbia High School Principal Braxton Stowe credited the school’s staff for its strong showing.
“I think the No. 1 thing is we have a group of amazing teachers that teach with passion and teach with excellence every day, and students want to be a part of that,” he said.
The first-year principal at CHS said it’s also a testament to the community’s support of the school, citing alumni and parents coming back to encourage students, among other things.
Marion County Superintendent Wendy Bracey said a graduation mindset begins the day a student starts in the district.
“Our elementary principals promote graduation through a variety of activities during our students’ years in k-6. When a student enters 7-12, principals and counselors work hard to ensure that our students arrive at graduation well prepared,” she said in a statement. “Whether students are planning to go to college or enter the workforce after high school, they are there to help them make that transition smoothly and successfully upon graduating high school.
“Upon entering Junior High, guidance counselors and principals help students begin to choose pathways to graduation. As students enter ninth grade, they participate in Graduation Commitment Celebration. As they complete grades 9-12, our guidance counselors and principals meet regularly with students to ensure they are focused and meeting their academic, behavior, and attendance SMART goals. Students in high school also have the opportunity to earn college credits/college degrees while they work toward graduation. Success celebrations are frequent to show our students how proud we are of them. Our students also are involved in many college and career fairs throughout their school years as well as visiting colleges and businesses.”
Stowe said Columbia High has a dropout prevention plan that identifies students at-risk of dropping out and then gets parents and outside organizations involved to help. They also provide opportunities to make up courses that they missed or get academic help.
“We definitely want to get better. We want to get to 100 percent,” he said.
The state released the latest numbers on Jan. 17. The state average was 84 percent, having increased steadily from 74.5 percent in 2014.
