Ontario Graduation Rates Hit All-Time High and Kenora Catholic Increases Five Year Rate
Ontario's unprecedented investments in education have pushed the high school graduation rate to a historic new high, as more students than ever before are obtaining a high school diploma and gaining the skills and experience required for the jobs of tomorrow.
In Kenora, students at St. Thomas Aquinas High School have achieved an 81.7% five-year grad rate which is up 4.2 percentage points from last year. This percentage is calculated by following the students who started in grade nine with the Kenora Catholic District School Board in 2012. The percentage represents all of the students who were able to meet graduation diploma requirements in five years, whether they stayed with the same school board or not.
Phyllis Eikre, Director of Education, for the Kenora Catholic District School Board comments, "Our graduation rate is a result of the hard work of students, and the support of their families - along with the dedication and collaborative professionalism of educators and staff."
Principal of St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Michelle Sawa adds, "We celebrate our students and the hard work they have done to become graduates. Our students achieve academic excellence and also are carrying part-time jobs, working on community service and are part of the school community in arts, athletics and other clubs and teams. I am very proud of their accomplishments!"
"The board works as a team and the efforts of teachers, administrators, and support staff help to enable our students to succeed. The support of friends, parents, family and community help to make sure that we all work together to increase the number of graduates we have each year," says Superintendent Mary Cunningham.
The provincial government has provided supports to students with programs such as the High Skills Specialist, cooperative education and dual credits with local colleges. These have helped to make learning more accessible and authentic and improve students' employability as well as helping them to meet their graduation goals.
The St. Thomas Aquinas High School graduation ceremony will be on June 22nd at 7:00 p.m. this year at the high school and will commemorate the accomplishments of all of the graduating students.
Ministry of Education News Release: High School Graduation Rate Climbs to All-Time High
For More Information Please Contact
Trina Henley
Executive Assistant to the Director & Communications Officer
p: 807-468-9851
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