The graduation rates for the Suwannee County School District the past five school years.

LIVE OAK, Fla. — The Suwannee County School District’s graduation rate rose above 90 percent, and remained above the state average.

According to the Florida Department of Education, the district’s 2017-18 graduation rate was 96.2 percent, up from the 90.5 percent in 2016-17.

The state graduation rate rose 3.8 percentage points last year to reach 86.1 percent.

The graduation rate measures the percentage of students who graduate within four years of their first enrollment in ninth grade. The rate is calculated for an adjusted cohort of students — a group of students on the same schedule to graduate — taking into account those who enter or exit the group.

Suwannee High School graduated 238 of its cohort of 245 students, while Branford High had 91 graduates from a cohort of 93 students.

“The district has been working diligently to make sure that each student has a path toward graduation; no matter the method,” Superintendent Ted Roush said.

Roush said years ago administrative staff counseled students wanting to quit school on what it would mean to them in terms of reduced earning potential over the course of their working career but most students would leave anyway.

“In this day and time, there are many options, including early interventions that are taken to help students stay on track for on-time graduation,” Roush said.

Remedial courses are provide to students with additional skills and the knowledge needed to take and pass tests required for graduation. There is also an increased emphasis on helping students attain concordant scores on other tests such as ACT and SAT that can substitute for the FSA and EOC (State of Florida Tests) required for graduation.

The district also offers virtual options through the Suwannee Virtual School program to make up credits along with summer school.

“The bottom line is there are many more tools in place to help students attain a diploma on time then ever before, largely due to the expansion of technology,” Roush said.  

He added with all students having a Chromebook to utilize for courses, school is no longer 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., but can be varied for the need of the student.

“With this individualized approach, we continue to see stellar graduation rates,” Roush said.

Roush said that he is extremely proud of the school administrations, counselors, faculties and staffs at our schools for making great things happen for students.