The Bluewater District School Board's 5 year graduation rate is slightly below the provincial average.
However the 83% rate is up one per cent from last year.
The number of students graduating province wide is 85.5%.
The board has been tracking graduation rates since the 2004-2005 school year, when it was 71%.
The Bluewater rate includes students who are not working towards a diploma. For example , 69 grade 12 students with special education needs are involved in highly engaged programming.
They are working towards Certificates of Accomplishment, Ontario Secondary School Certificates or pathways to Community Living destinations. These students take longer to complete a program, with an average of 7 years.
A staff report says they will continue to work to improve graduation rates with a focus on achievement, well being, and options for all students.
