With the recent release of 2022-23 graduation rates, Gladstone School District staff have a lot to be proud of.
Gladstone students overall had an impressive four-year graduation rate of 85.5% last year. Oregon’s overall statewide average on-time graduation rate was 81.3%.
Gladstone’s graduation rates improved in a key area over the previous year, according to the data issued by the Oregon Department of Education on Jan. 25.
Gladstone students with disabilities in the class of 2023 graduated in four years at a rate that was 5% higher than the same cohort in the class of 2022, well above the statewide average of 68.6%. 79% of Gladstone students with disabilities graduated on time last year, compared with 74% the year before.
Amy Mikesell, who took over as Gladstone High School’s new principal at the beginning of the current school year, said she was immediately impressed by how staff at GHS and throughout the district work so hard to support all students. Mikesell said that staff at every grade level are preparing students for success in high school and after graduation.
“We can close the graduation gaps, with a continuing emphasis on our students of color and students who are supported by special education,” Mikesell said. “Through this data, we can see how we have lots of techniques that are working, and we will continue to refine our strategies for all students’ success in graduating ready for college or careers.”
Another wonderful sign for Gladstone in the recently released graduation rates: 90% of class of 2023 students who participated in career and technical education graduated in four years, or at a rate of more than 95% if they concentrated on CTE courses. GHS is also proud to have won a $249,000 grant in December to revitalize our CTE Pathways.
GHS will use the new CTE funding to create a new health sciences program and upgrade existing infrastructure and equipment to offer cutting-edge CTE programs in the upcoming school year.