Leaders at the Philadelphia School District and long strived to strived to improve its four-year graduation rate and have launched a new initiative to do it, writes Kristen A. Graham for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Through its “Ninth Grade Success Network,” a group of 24 schools are receiving extra resources to place a close focus on ninth-graders.
Research has shown that Philadelphia ninth-graders considered “on track” have an 89 percent four-year graduation rate. Meanwhile, those who aren’t have a graduation rate of just 45 percent.
That network has heavily benefitted students that have traditionally had lower graduation rates.
At Mastbaum High School in Kensington, the Network has proven to pay dividends.
According to Principal David Lon, 72 percent of ninth-graders were on track in the 2023-24 academic year, compared to 60 percent in 2022-23.
The school has also seen 100 more students enroll this year than projected.
“We’re building enrollment from within,” Lon said. “We’re keeping kids in programs, and that’s because of ninth grade.”
Amy Foster, Mastbaum’s assistant principal for ninth grade, keeps a close tab on each freshman and motivates them to do their best.
While she notes the numbers are important, so too — are maybe more so — are relationships.
Read more about how the Philadelphia School District is working to increase the graduation rate in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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