Waterloo’s Graduation Rate Reaches All-Time High

Students attending Waterloo Community Schools are cracking the books like they never have before. The district is celebrating its highest graduation rate in history.

According to figures released by school administrators, the district's graduation rate for 2015 increased more than six-percent compared to the previous year. The numbers show 80.3-percent of the students received their diplomas a year ago, while the 2014 graduation rate was 74.18-percent.

The graduation rates for African-American and Hispanic students also are the highest ever, at 74.70-percent and 82.10-percent respectively.

Waterloo Schools Superintendent Dr. Jane Lindaman credits a data-driven focus on meeting students' individual needs as part of the formula that's working.

"Graduation rate is one area we knew we needed to improve," she said. "When a student doesn't have at least a high school diploma, his or her options are significantly limited. We attacked this issue as a system by engaging all staff who work with high school students and having conversations all along the way.

"By no means have we met the end goal but this is a start. Our work will continue."

Lindaman, district-level, and high school staff worked together to target students at-risk of not graduating through summer school, letters home, credit monitoring and other interventions. Currently, the approach extends to all grade levels where a more comprehensive approach to tracking achievement and remedial support is being executed.

“We are so pleased to see this increase in the graduation rate," said Shanlee McNally, Waterloo's Board of Education President. "It has come with a great deal of work on the part of teachers, administrators, staff, and families, but most importantly our students. There is still work to be done so that every student in our district can earn a diploma."

"But, this increase is a win-win for our kids and our community. Students who graduate are more successful as they move on to the next stage in their lives. That’s something to celebrate!”

Commencement ceremonies for the 2016 graduating seniors in the Waterloo School District will be held in early June.