High School Graduation Rate
Why we track this indicator
High school graduation rates are an important indicator that impacts academic, employment, and health outcomes for the student and family.
High School Graduation Rate Data Breakdown
Status: Green
Definition: This indicator tracks the average yearly graduation rate for students graduating within 4 years in all seven school districts in Elkhart County. The graduation rate is tracked though the Indiana Department of Education's yearly report on student graduations. This information is obtained through publicly available data.
Source: Indiana Department of Education (IDOE)
Last Updated: September 2023
Mitigating Factors: None Reported.
Methodology
Methodology: The High School Graduation Rate is obtained by averaging the graduation rate of all seven school districts in Elkhart County, and then comparing it to the state average. The resulting difference between each graduation rate is used for the trend.
Goal: To observe a higher graduation rate than the state of Indiana.
Traffic Light:
Green: at least 1% higher graduation rate than Indiana
Gray: within +/- 1% compared to Indiana
Red: at least 1% lower graduation rate than Indiana
Supporting Research
Health and Academics
Healthy students are better learners, and academic achievement bears a lifetime of benefits for health.
Trends in High School Dropout and Completion Rates in the United States: 2019
US Department of Education: Dropping out of high school is related to a number of negative outcomes.
High School Graduation Rates and Their Effect on the American Economy
To quantify how a student’s decision to drop out affects the rest of us, and, conversely, how a student graduating from high school benefits all of us.
What is the Impact of High School Graduation Rates?
Though it is a personal decision, it has a far-reaching impact not only on the student, but on other students and the American education system.
See High School Graduation Rates By State
News Article: The high school graduation rate in the U.S. was 88% for the 2018-2019 academic year – holding steady with the previous year's average.
Related Indicators
Click to see more data trends related to High School Graduation Rate
Baugo Community Schools
Baugo Community Schools seeks “to sustain our community by improving our schools in four areas: 1). authentic student, family, and community engagement, 2). powerful teaching and learning, 3). expanded student supports, [and] 4). family and community partnerships.”
Elkhart Community Schools
Elkhart Community Schools is a district that serves approximately 13,000 students, and is known for high-quality programs, exceptional teachers, superior learning environments, and strong parental and community support.
Goshen Community Schools
Goshen Community Schools, a school district of approximately 36 square miles, contains all of Elkhart Township and is located in Elkhart County. Within Elkhart Township is the City of Goshen, a city of approximately 35,000.
Wa-Nee Community Schools
Wa-Nee Community Schools prepares students to be adaptable individuals with the life and educational skills necessary to become responsible and ethical citizens.
Indicators in Action
The ‘Data Action Mini Grant’ program will provide low barrier grants to collaborating partners which will help increase cross-system collaboration and facilitate the community response to needs and/or gaps identified through the Elkhart County Child Dashboard. Applicants may request up to $2,000. Two or more applicants can collaborate for collaborative action based upon one or more data indicators and increase the grant request. By leveraging the ‘Data Action Mini Grant’ program partners can have a platform that helps to inform community goals and creates a stronger sustainability platform for their programs.
For a copy of the 1-page proposal template click here or email David Wiegner.