Parent Teacher Magazine - Gaston County Schools

Graduation rate up for fourth year – highest rate ever reported
Graduation rate improves again – five high schools boast 90 plus rates
Gaston County Schools’ cohort graduation
rate increased to 81.2 percent in 2013, the
highest four-year graduation rate ever reported
for GCS, according to results released today by
the State Board of Education.
The cohort graduation rate is the percent of
ninth graders who entered high school in 2009-
2010 and graduated four years later in June 2013.
Gaston County Schools’ average graduation rate
climbed to 81.2 from 77.8 last year.
Since the State Board of Education released
the first cohort graduation rate in 2005-2006,
GCS high schools’ average graduation rate has
improved 13.1 points from 68.1 in 2006 to 81.2
today.
Some students require a fifth year of
high school in order to complete graduation
requirements. The district’s five-year cohort
graduation rate for the students who entered the
ninth grade in 2008-09 and graduated in June
2013 was 80.4, up from 78.2 last year.
The graduation rate is not the same as the
dropout rate, which is the number of students
who dropout in a given year.
Superintendent L. Reeves McGlohon
said, “This is Gaston County Schools’ highest
graduation rate ever and the fourth consecutive
year that our rate has increased. We’re
definitely pleased that our graduation rate
continues to improve each year. This is what we
are looking for – the continuous steady increases.”
McGlohon added, “We applaud our school staffs,
students, parents and support personnel who work
together to ensure our students stay in school
and graduate. Our goal is for every student to be
successful, and we intend to continue doing everything
possible to ensure this happens.”
2012-2013 Graduation Rate Highlights:
n The countywide four-year cohort graduation
rate increased over last year. The district’s average
graduation rate was 81.2. This is up from 77.8 in 2012
and 75.4 in 2011.
n Since 2006 when the state released the first
cohort graduation rate, GCS has climbed 13.1 points,
from 68.1 to 81.2.
n The four-year graduation rate is above 90
percent at five of nine high schools: Cherryville,
Forestview, Gaston Early College, Highland and South
Point.
n Highland has the highest rate with 99.3.
n Cherryville (+ 5.8) and North Gaston (+6.4) saw
the greatest gains over last year.
• Cherryville – 90.3 +5.8
• North Gaston – 81.2 +6.4
n GCS increases over last year +3.4; the state
increase was only +2.3.
n The GCS five-year cohort graduation rate
increased to 80.4 in 2013, up from 78.2 last year.
4 • September/October 2013 • Parent Teacher Magazine