Gene Galin for School Board

North Carolina has released the 2007-2008 4 year and 5 year high school graduation rates. The four year rate relates to the number of students who started 9th grade in 2004-2005 school year and graduated by this July (within 4 years). The five rate rate relates to student who started 9th grade in 2003-200 school year and graduated by this July (within 5 years).

Chatham Central - 101 of 126 students graduated 80.2%
Black - 9 of 12 75%
Hispanic - 3 of 5 60%
White - 86 of 105 81.9%
Econ Disadvantaged 14 of 18 77.8%
Students w/Disabilities 2 of 5 40%

Jordan-Matthews - 168 of 216 students graduated 77.8%
Black - 35 of 45 77.8%
Hispanic - 57 of 78 73.1%
White - 67 of 84 79.8%
Econ Disadvantaged 65 of 83 78.3%
Limited English 26 of 38 68.4%
Students w/Disabilities 12 of 18 66.7%

Northwood - 206 of 240 students graduated 85.8%
Black - 43 of 52 82.7%
Hispanic - 7 of 10 70%
White - 146 of 168 86.9%
Econ Disadvantaged 33 of 43 78.6%
Limited English 4 of 6 66.7%
Students w/Disabilities 18 of 24 66.7%

Chatham District- # graduated within 4 years and percentage
All Student    476 of 596    79.9%
Male    236 of 312    75.6%
Female    240 of 284    84.5%
Native Am    4 of 6    66.7%
Black    88 of 114    77.2%
Hispanic    67 of 95    70.5%
Multi-Racial    16 of 16    >95%
White    299 of 363    82.4%
Econ Disadvantaged    112 of 148    75.7%
Limited English    30 of 47    63.8%
Students w/Disabilities    32 of 49    65.3%

Chatham County schools have improved:
Chatham Central - last yr’s 4 yr rate 78.3%, this yr’s 4 yr rate 80.2, this yr’s 5 year rate 78.3%(same as the 4 yr)
JM - last yr’s 4 yr rate 75%, this yr’s 4 yr rate 77.8, this yr’s 5 year rate 79.9%(up 10 student from 4 yr)
Northwood - last yr’s 4 yr rate 78.3%, this yr’s 4 yr rate 85.8, this yr’s 5 year rate 81.1(up 7 students from 4 yr)

While Chatham County high school graduation rates have improved there is definitely room for improvement