Storm Lake Charter Schools Obscure Graduation Rates - News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com

Storm Lake Charter Schools Obscure Graduation Rates

Posted: Updated:

By: Scott Larson
slarson@kcautv.com

Storm Lake High School has the lowest four year graduation rate in the state of Iowa. But here's the real shocker...administrators at the high school say that's actually a good thing!

Statistically speaking, only one of every two kids at Storm Lake High School graduates in four years. That's well below Iowa's average of 91%. You see, a lot of the students aren't graduating in four years. Instead they're sticking around for another year to take advantage of the school's charter program. Jacob Olson attends charter school and says it's given him a great opportunity. "It helps me to get a headstart per se. And not have the financial burden."

With the charter program, students can get one year of free continuing education at Buena Vista University or Iowa Central Community College. Students say it's a good way to explore their options. Oscar Perez goes to Buena Vista and says, "(I'm) kind of thinking about going into social work and probably doing like social work in the medical field." Amy Schwartz is planning on starting charter school in the fall and says, "I like nursing and possibly photography. I'm not really sure yet. Maybe a little bit of both? *laughs*" 

The principal, Beau Ruleaux, says it's a no-brainer for students considering college. "We're very proud of it, it's been very successful. And it's given some students the opportunity to go to college that they would have never had before."

Powered by WorldNow
All content © Copyright 2001 - 2013 WorldNow and KCAU-TV. All Rights Reserved.
For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.