GRPS tops state average with highest graduation rate in years
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Grand Rapids Public Schools says it has seen its highest graduation rate in recent years.
“It represents our future,” said Kimberley Williams, the president of the GRPS Board of Education. “It’s not just a percentage. It represents the potential.”
In 2014, the district’s graduation rate was just under 50%. That skyrocketed to 82.39% for the 2022-23 school year. The district says for the first time in recent memory, its graduation rates have topped the state average, which was 81.77%.
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Graduation rates have surged at GRPS in the last decade:
2023: 82.4%
2022: 80.5%
2021: 78.9%
2020: 80.9%
2019: 78.2%
2018: 71.3%
2017: 66.6%
2016: 65.5%
2015: 56.2%
2014: 49.6%
During a news conference on Monday morning, Superintendent Leadriane Roby said dedicated teachers and a data-driven approach have helped lead to student success. She applauded counselors for giving individualized attention to students in need and mapping out a plan for their success. Additionally, she said extra learning opportunities after school and over the summer have helped students out.
“(It made sure) that those who might fall behind, or were at risk of not graduating on time, had those extra supports,” Roby said.
The increase in graduation rates over the last decade comes along with declining school enrollment. From 2008 to 2020, enrollment dropped by 26%. It’s why the district plans to close some school buildings as part of a long-term plan aimed at improving student learning.
“Come on back!” Roby voiced to families that may have left the district. “As we are talking about reimagining GRPS with us, we’re serious about that. We’re also serious about our district strategic plan where we’re not only looking at student outcomes but (making sure) the largest district on this side of the state has rigorous relevant education.”
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Roby said enrollment increased this school year. A GRPS spokesperson later confirmed to News 8 the district’s enrollment this fall increased by 106 students from the previous fall. To help more kids graduate, the district plans to “hyperfocus” on improving attendance. Staff hope to understand why kids aren’t coming to class as well as the barriers they face, and they hope to help however they can.
“People come to places where they feel welcome,” Roby said. “It’s important if we make school a place where children feel valued and respected and seen, they’re more likely to come.”
The superintendent also emphasized that district leadership should make sure families and students “see the value of graduating on time.” But the effort to make sure students can graduate starts much earlier than high school, Roby said.
“It’s not just about what we’re doing with our high school students; it’s that backwards mapping and including what we do at that early childhood level,” she said.
Another priority: retaining and hiring high-quality teachers, which remains a challenge for many school districts amid an ongoing shortage. Union High School teams up with local universities, like Grand Valley State University, to help fill the gap.
“We work with our local colleges to get as many student teachers in here as possible,” Union Principal Aaron Roussey told News 8. “Once you’re in and we can show you the climate and culture, the chances of us hiring possibly for an open position the next year has really helped us.”
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Roussey estimated that Union High School has seen a 25% increase in graduation rates over the last decade. He said that school staff have tried to understand student’s long-term goals as early as the ninth grade and guide them toward the future they want.
“I think the biggest difference is the attention to detail to ensure kids feel seen,” Roussey said.
—News 8’s Corinne Moore contributed to this report.
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