Northwestern had a four-year graduation rate of 98.1% and a five-year graduation rate of 98.7%, according to state report card data.
The state report card’s four-year graduation rate data applies to students in the class of 2019 who entered ninth grade in the fall of 2015 and graduated by the summer of 2019. The five-year graduation rate data applies to students in the class of 2018 who entered the ninth grade in the fall of 2014 and graduated by the summer of 2019.
“We are always trying to improve the education we provide for our students. We have been looking at the individual needs of our students instead of just test scores and I think that has made a big difference,” said Superintendent Jesse Steiner.
Northwestern also had the second-highest prepared for success rate at 48%, which includes ACT and SAT participation, dual enrollment credit and honors diplomas.
According to state report card data, 119 students earned a remediation free score on all parts of the ACT or SAT, earned an honors diploma, and/or earned an industry-recognized credential.
This includes that 94.4% of students took the ACT, 19.9% of students earned a remediation free score, 1% took the SAT, 26.8% received an honors diploma, 8.2% received industry-recognized credential and 56.2% participated in earning three or more dual enrollment college credits.
Steiner said some of the things the district has also introduced to students is a social and emotional learning program as well as a very active Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program at the Jr./Sr. High School.
According to state report card data, 51.4% of the 2017 graduating class entered college within two years and 30.7% of the 2013 graduating class graduated from college within six years of leaving high school.
“I feel that we have an excellent staff and hard working students. I do not think it was one thing that changed but a lot of things working together that helped us improve,” Steiner said.
About the Author
