HANCOCK COUNTY — After a school year whose ending was memorable for altered studies, drive-by goodbyes and subdued graduation ceremonies, the county’s four high schools have something to celebrate.
All four posted 2020 graduation rates well above the state average, and they also bettered their marks from the year before, according to data released by the Indiana Department of Education.
Eastern Hancock High School logged the county’s top rate, at 99.07%; followed by Mt. Vernon High School at 97.78%; Greenfield-Central High School at 94.56%; and New Palestine High School at 94.44%.
Statewide, the graduation rate rose modestly, to 87.69% from 87.29% The rate reflects the State Board of Education’s waiver of the Graduation Qualifying Exam for the class of 2020, which could not be administered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Katie Jenner, Indiana’s new secretary of education, said the improvement was encouraging given that the last two months of the school year were all but wiped out because of pandemic restrictions.
Hancock County school administrators praised teachers and students for their commitments in the classroom. Trends such as more individualized attention, use of technology and specialized programs are playing important roles in helping students make it to Graduation Day, they say.
Here is a school-by-school recap of leaders’ reaction:
Greenfield-Central High School
Superintendent Harold Olin noted that Greenfield-Central recorded the highest graduation rate in its 50-year history when 313 out of 331 students graduated.
“You should see in the state data that we have consistently exceeded a 90% graduation rate since 2016,” Olin said. “We had struggled to hit that mark prior to that date.”
Olin credited many factors contributing to the improvement over the past five years, including having an administrative team and school board who identified improving the graduation rate as their highest priority starting in 2014.
“As a result of that prioritization, we have set aside many resources to ensure that we move the needle in the right direction,” Olin said.
From the creation of a special learning academy at Greenfield-Central to additional teachers, social workers and more, the district has improved the environment to help students succeed, Olin said.
High school teachers have embraced what Olin calls a “skills mentality vs. a compliance mentality” when they assign student grades, and it is making a difference.
“This has resulted in more students receiving credit for high school coursework,” Olin said. “It’s a minor shift that’s resulted in a lot of positive movement.”
The graduation rate is a metric that schools use at the end of students’ 13-year journey, and Olin said all G-C teachers play a role in student improvement.
“That being said, I certainly attribute much of this improvement to our high school students and staff,” Olin said. “Through the encouragement of our staff, our students are doing a better job of envisioning their own success after high school.”
Eastern Hancock High School
The county’s smallest high school earns county bragging rights for the highest graduation rate in 2020, showing 107 of 108 students graduated.
Principal Adam Barton attributes the high rate to several things, but noted having a smaller class certainly helps.
“Both our size and our committed and compassionate staff have a direct impact upon our graduation rate,” Barton said.
Barton also credited the district’s mapping for students from the time they enter school as one of the keys to making sure students stay on the path to graduate. They track student progress very carefully and make changes at the beginning of each semester to try to make sure students recover coursework for which they did not earn credit.
“Our staff is extremely creative in working to help each individual student overcome barriers to his or her success and in finding ways to allow students to legitimately prove that they have gained the knowledge and skills to earn credits,” Barton said.
Mt. Vernon High School
Boasting the county’s second-best graduation rate of 97.78%, officials at Mt. Vernon High School saw 309 of 316 students graduate. That’s a solid increase from the 94.12% graduation mark in 2019.
Principal Casey Dodd said leaders are proud of students’ and teachers’ efforts. He said the achievement is all the more noteworthy considering that nearly overnight, teachers had to adjust their teaching styles and practices to deliver fully virtual instructions the last two months of the year.
“Working collaboratively, our entire high school teaching team retooled our instruction effectively so our students were able to continue achieving at high levels and fulfill all their graduation requirements,” Dodd said, noting that schools have honed their digital strategies in the six years the district has had one-to-one computing. “The Indiana Department of Education understandably granted some flexibility for students set to graduate, and we appreciate their support of our 2020 graduates.”
New Palestine High School
New Palestine High School’s rate rose slightly, with 272 of 288 students graduating in the class of 2020.
“We’re pleased,” community relations director Wes Anderson said. “Our rate number has gone up from last year, so that’s a positive thing.”
Anderson credited the multiple options the district offers students at the high school as one reason why the rate is well above the state average. This includes the Pathways Program, which helps students find a way to graduate in non-traditional ways.
“Each student is literally on their own pathway,” Anderson said. “That allows us to be a little more hands-on with each student to how they’re going to get to their diploma.”
Anderson said giving students different avenues to graduation gets more students excited about their school experience.
Despite having the county’s lowest rate this year, Anderson noted he’s proud of the district’s accomplishment. He said it’s also a credit to efforts countywide to improve education.
“I think it’s a great testament to the quality of education we are providing in the county,” Anderson said. “Our colleagues in the other districts are doing a great job…. All four districts are far above the state average and that shows the type of education all four districts are providing.”
