Students are graduating in School District 8 at a higher rate than the B.C. average.
Completion rate data made public during the district’s board meeting Feb. 13 shows the first-time graduation rate — or students who started and finished Grade 12 in the same academic year — was 87 per cent for 2022-23.
That was unchanged from the previous year, but the district also beat the provincial mark of 84.4 per cent, the first time that has occurred in at least five years.
Six-year completion rates, which track how many students either graduate or earn an adult diploma within six years of first enrolling in Grade 8, also reached a new five-year high at 89.9 per cent. The B.C. average meanwhile fell to 88.8 per cent.
Superintendent Trish Smillie said the grad rates are a reason to celebrate the hard work accomplished by students and staff.
“Every single person in the system contributes to the success of every student. And so although this is one measure, it’s a measure that really does help to indicate that people are doing really good work for students, and they’re working hard for their communities as well.”
Smillie believes the groundwork being laid in early learning is contributing to the district’s high completion rates.
She also cited the district’s new five-year strategic plan developed last year, and individual three-year learning plans for each high school student that are updated biannually and meant to see them through to earning their cap and gown.
“So every student, it’s not possible for them to slip through the cracks. Students are monitored and can have programs adapted to their needs.”
Similar successes were made for students with Indigenous heritage.
First-time grad rates jumped from 76.8 per cent in 2021-22 to 81.4 per cent last year, well above the provincial average of just 63.4 per cent.
The six-year completion rate for Indigenous students was 88.3 per cent, a jump of eight per cent over one year for the district and well above B.C.’s 77.3 per cent.
Smillie said the goal now for the Aboriginal Education program is to have it reach parity with the graduation stats for the general student population. It’s nearly there already.
“We want students to make sure that their culture is evident. They can see their culture and learn about their culture in our school district. There are role models for Indigenous students that they can work with within the school setting, that they have supports.”
The district and province also track data for students with diverse abilities. First time grad rates for SD8 were 72 per cent, unchanged from the previous year, while the six-year mark was 75 per cent. Both were also higher than provincial averages.
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