Our nation's high school graduation rate, after declining in the latter part of the 20th century, is beginning to rise, according to a report released Tuesday by America's Promise Alliance. The U.S. graduation rate increased from 72% in 2002 to 75% in 2008, according to Building a Grad Nation: Progress and Challenge in Ending the High School Dropout Epidemic. The report boasts more than half of states increased their graduation rate from 2002 to 2008. Iowa shows an increase of 2.3% (84.1% in 2002 to 86.4% in 2008) and Illinois shows an increase of 3.3% (77.1% in 2002 to 80.4% in 2008). The report is part of Grad Nation, a national movement aimed at ending the dropout crisis. Despite these promising statistics, the rate of progress is too slow to reach the movement's goal of having 90% of students graduate from high school and obtain at least one year of postsecondary schooling by 2020. To meet this goal, progress in graduation rates will need to increase fivefold over the next decade. The challenge is large; in 2008, more than 2 million students still attended a school in which graduation was not better than about a 50/50 proposition. Still, the central message of the report is that we can end the high school dropout crisis in America, through a targeted approach sustained over time, with clear goals and expectations and support to school leaders, teachers, and students.
Rivermont Collegiate, the Quad Cities' only private, independent, nonsectarian college-prep school, features a rigorous academic program that results in a meaningful diploma. Students receive focused attention possible only in small classes, and are supported to take risks in academics, leadership, athletics, arts, and service. Rivermont boasts 100% graduate acceptance to four-year colleges and universities, with over 90% of Rivermont grads earning four-year renewable merit scholarships.
What are you waiting for? Explore the Rivermont approach to learning! Join us for Open Tours the first Tuesday of every month. The next Open Tour will be held Tuesday, December 7th from 8:30-10:00 a.m. No appointment necessary! Drop in to explore our philosophy and curriculum, take a tour of campus, and see our teachers in action. Rivermont Collegiate is located at 1821 Sunset Drive, directly off 18th Street behind K&K Hardware in Bettendorf.
For additional information on Grad Nation, including the full Building a Grad Nation: Progress and Challenge in Ending the High School Dropout Epidemic report, visit http://www.americaspromise.org
For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate or Tuesday's Open Tours, contact Cindy Murray at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or murray@rvmt.org
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