Graduation rates stable statewide, Owatonna continues to outpace average

Figures released by the Minnesota Department of Education last week show that the four-year graduation rate remained stable last year, with more than 60,000 Minnesota students earning a high school diploma as part of the class of 2023.

In total 83.3% of Minnesota students graduated in four years last year, with 58,293 students earning their diploma on time. An additional 3,874 students from earlier classes were able to graduate five, six or seven years after beginning High School.

The overall graduation rate is down slightly from 2022, when 83.6% of students graduated on time. MDE Commissioner Willie Jett attributed that dip to a 0.4% increase in the “unknown” rate, which covers students whose educational journeys districts lost track of.

Notably, four year graduation rates among Asian and Black students fell by 1.9% and 1.4% respectively, while graduation rates among English Learner students dropped by 1.6%. However, graduation rates among multiracial students increased by 1.1%.

Most local school districts have posted graduation rates higher than the state average. However, local graduation rate data showed much more variation than the relatively stable state numbers, with smaller, more rural districts showing particular variation.

Owatonna Public Schools saw a slight dip in four year graduation rates in 2023, but Owatonna students continue to outpace statewide averages. Overall, 86.9% of Owatonna Public Schools students and 90.5% of Owatonna High School graduated on time last year.

Superintendent Jeff Elstad touted OPS’s Career Pathways program for helping to keep students not just focused on graduating from school on time but on track to quickly transition into a job that piques their interest in an in demand field.

Elstad also touted major progress made towards increasing the graduation rate among special education students. While the sample size may be relatively small, students with an Individualized Education Plan saw a double digit increase in four year graduation rate.

Even more remarkably, nearly two-thirds of students at the Owatonna Area Learning Center were able to graduate on time, for a robust class of 33 students. Over the last five years, the second strongest ALC class was 2021’s, when 19 students graduated.

For Elstad, these key successes are part of Owatonna Public Schools’ commitment to offer personalized support and guidance for all students, with the goal of helping every student become prepared for graduation and the world beyond.

“We are working to create a system in which all of our students can be successful and graduate,” Elstad said.

Here is a look at how other schools in the southern Minnesota area are faring:

Waseca

Waseca Public Schools saw a modest boost in graduation rates, from 74.2% in 2022 to 76% in 2023, though both figures are well shy of 2021’s 80.1% graduation rate. Waseca High School graduated 90.7% of students, up 1.5% from 2022 but again down compared to 2021.

Director of Teaching and Learning Brooke McGuire said that as the graduation rate has settled in at around a 90% figure for the last several years, there is much to be happy with along with room for improvement.

“We’re always striving to increase until we get to 100%,” McGuire said. “We will continue to make adjustments, but we’re pleased.”

In order to maximize graduation rates, McGuire emphasized that Waseca High School’s counselors work hard to help freshmen students develop a four year plan and provide personalized help and support for all students, in particular those who are struggling.

Faribault

At Faribault Public Schools, several demographic groups which overall have had lower graduation rates are well represented, including students who receive free or reduced price lunches, and English Learner students.

As a result, Faribault has traditionally had among the lowest graduation rates in the area. But after a weak 2022 with less than 70% of students graduating on time, Faribault Public Schools made a strong comeback in 2023, posting a four year graduation rate of 75.8%.

While a lower four year graduation rate at the Faribault Area Learning Center drags down the numbers, the graduation rate at Faribault High School surged by 7 points to 85.3%, the highest level in the last five years and above the state average for the first time in that timeframe.

While the overall graduation rate is identical to 2021, Superintendent Jamie Bente still hailed the growth as a “huge accomplishment” given the District’s demographics. Faribault’s School Board has made boosting graduation rates one of four key goals, alongside increasing Kindergarten readiness, third grade reading scores and middle school math scores.

Bente said that wise investments have helped Faribault Public Schools to boost its graduation rate, enabled by prudent management which was able to take maximum advantage of the COVID-era boost to federal funding.

Next year, FPS is hoping to reach a four year graduation rate of 90%, a figure which other area Districts have reached or exceeded. However, Bente conceded that the $3 million in cuts the District had to make to balance its books could make that goal harder to reach.

“It’s always difficult when we’re making budget cuts, especially cutting 7 to 8 percent of our budget,” Bente said. “We hope it doesn’t impact the growth in numbers we’re seeing.”

Kenyon-Wanamingo

As one of the smaller school districts in the region, Kenyon-Wanamingo’s graduation figures can fluctuate based on circumstances facing just a handful of students, but overall its four year graduation rates tend to be strong.

Last year, 90.7% of K-W students graduated on time, or 49 out of 54 students. While well above the state average, that was still a notable dip from last year, when 47 out of 49 students, or 95.9%, graduated on time.

Superintendent Beth Giese noted that since last summer, “nearly 100% of our students have achieved a diploma,” with several students who for whatever reason were unable to graduate on time taking advantage of summer classes to complete a final required course or two.

“I feel this is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, and staff,” Giese said of the above-average graduation rates. “It reflects our commitment to academic excellence and ensuring that every student has the support they need to succeed.”

Northfield

Northfield has always been a regional leader in graduation rates. This year was no different, but Rice County’s college town was able to raise the bar even higher with a 92.7% graduation rate.

Notably, the class of 2023 was smaller than its predecessors, with just 294 graduates compared to 334 the year prior. Still, the overall graduation rate was up 2.4% from 2022, and Northfield High School increased its graduation rate by 1% to a remarkable 96.9%.

Superintendent Matt Hillmann noted that at Northfield High School, the graduation rate has been north of 95% every year since 2017. When such a high level is reached, he said that it can be “incredibly difficult to keep improving.”

To help students stay on track, Northfield High School has its nationally recognized Tackling Obstacles & Raising College Hopes (TORCH) program, focused on improving the graduation and post-secondary participation rates of minority and low-income students, as well as youth who would be first-generation college attendees.

Among the eight students who did not graduate on time as part of the class of 2023, three are continuing to pursue their diploma. While Northfield Public Schools provides robust credit recovery options through summer, Hillmann said some students just need more time.

St. Peter

After experiencing a tumble in graduation rates last year, St. Peter Public Schools was able to largely recover in 2023, with the four year graduation rate among St. Peter High School students returning above 90% and in fact reaching a five year high of 92.5%.

Overall, 89.8% of St. Peter Public Schools students graduated on time in 2023, well above last year’s 85.8% but still trailing 2021’s 91.1%. Superintendent Bill Gronseth attributed the lower results in 2022 to a COVID-era dip and celebrated the work staff and students have done to catch up.

“We’re happy to see it rebounding,” Gronseth said. “Our staff has been working hard to help students who had fallen behind, and we are proud of the work that has been done by everyone.”

To help students catch up, St. Peter High School expanded its credit recovery program. Of those 12 students who were unable to graduate on time, Gronseth noted that five are continuing their education, with only four having chosen to drop out altogether.

Le Sueur-Henderson

After a rough 2021, Le Sueur-Henderson was able to largely recover its traditional graduation rate of around 90% last year. 2023 saw a slight bump in the graduation rate, with 91.8% (or 78 out of 85) students graduating within four years.

Superintendent Jim Wagner said that keeping the four year graduation rate above 90% is a key strategic plan goal, which requires significant, careful investments in programming targeting in particular the most at-risk students.

“It’s not necessarily an overnight fix, it takes some time putting things into place,” Wagner said. “You’re always monitoring it to make sure you’re doing everything possible.”

In order to better serve students with particular needs, Wagner said the District has made major investments into its small ALC school. Thanks to that, all but one ALC student was able to graduate on time last year.

Tri City United

Traditionally positioned in the mid-90 percent range, Tri-City United has seen notable four year graduation rate declines since the pandemic. That continued into 2023, with just 105 students securing their diploma, the smallest class in recent years.

A sprawling rural district which includes the towns of Le Center, Lonsdale and Montgomery, Tri-City United has now seen its graduation rates decline four of the last five years, with the overall rate dropping from 93.8% in 2019 to 82.7% in 2023.

However, it is notable that out of the 22 students who did not secure their diploma in four years, just eight dropped out of school. Five are continuing their education and quite notably, nine are considered “unknown,” with the District having lost track of their educational status.