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HNHS graduation rate up for 2009

Huntington North administration poses during lunch at the high school in December as they served students ice cream for their improved graduation rate. The Indiana Department of Education publicly announced the 2009 graduation rate today, Friday, Jan. 8.
Huntington North administration poses during lunch at the high school in December as they served students ice cream for their improved graduation rate. The Indiana Department of Education publicly announced the 2009 graduation rate today, Friday, Jan. 8. Photo provided.

The Indiana Department of Education released the 2009 graduation rates for high schools in the state on Friday morning, Jan. 8, and Huntington North High School has something to be happy about.

The class of 2009 had 89.1 percent of its students graduate - 399 out of 448 - which is just four students shy of making the 90 percent mark.

One of Huntington County Community School Corporation's goals is to have a 95 percent graduation rate by 2012.

According to the DOE, HNHS has improved its graduation rate the last two years. In 2007, 79.4 percent of the students graduated, and the number in 2008 took a jump up to 84.2 percent.

In a release from the office of the state's Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett, the DOE reported that Indiana's graduation rate has improved 3.7 percent from 2008, raising it to 81.5 percent. About 68 percent of the state's public high schools have either met or surpassed the new average. Also, 76 percent schools increased their graduation rates from 2008.

Huntington North fell into the range with 158 other schools that graduated between 80 and 89.9 percent of their students in 2009, creating the largest group in the state (43 percent). Only 27 percent of the state's schools graduated between 90 and 100 percent of its students in 2009 (101 schools), making up the second largest group in the state.

"We are very pleased at the progress we've made in improving our graduation rate. Our Credit Recovery Program, Freshmen Mentor Program, JAG (Jobs for America's Graduates) Program and Alternative School have been a big help. However, I would credit our teachers, guidance counselors and staff for building positive relationships with our students as being the most important factor in this success," says HNHS principal Jeremy Gulley.

"We know that graduation rates are a shared responsibility among students, parents, teachers, all our schools and the community. We will not be satisfied until every student who attends our school also earns a diploma."

For more information on the state's graduation rate, visit www.doe.in.gov/gradrate.

Complete caption: Huntington North High School administration poses during lunch at the high school in December as they served students ice cream for their improved graduation rate. The Indiana Department of Education publicly announced the 2009 graduation rate today, Friday, Jan. 8, and Huntington North's rate went up 4.9 percent since 2008. Serving are (from left) assistant principals Micah Thomas and Kelly Renier, Athletic Director Michael Gasaway, Dean of Students Rief Gilg, Principal Jeremy Gulley and Dean of Students Russ Degitz.