PSD has much to celebrate in recently released graduation rates.

On Thursday, January 30, 2025, the Oregon Department of Education released the graduation cohort and dropout data for all public school districts in Oregon. The Pendleton School District results are very strong, with a couple of very specific areas needing improvement.

The four-year cohort graduation rates are calculated by following students from the fall of their first year in high school to the end of their fourth year. This tells us the percentage of those students who graduated within four years. The Pendleton School District graduation rates represent a combination of all students who attended Pendleton High School, Hawthorne High School, and Nixyaawii Community School.

This year’s four-year cohort is made up of the students who first entered high school in the fall of 2020. This is important to note since these students started high school 100% online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There has been much to overcome for these students and many challenges our staff have faced head-on to ensure these students graduate. We celebrate the successes of these students and staff and thank them for their efforts.

The Pendleton School District’s four-year cohort rate is 83.2%. This is a 6.5% increase from the year before and almost 2% higher than the state average.

We have listed areas to celebrate success and a few areas of improvement. Areas of success:

• 5% increase in general graduation rate
• 2% increase in Hispanic student graduation rate
• 2% increase in students w/disabilities graduation rate
• 7% increase in 4-year completion rate
• No “gap” between general population and Native American students or between white students and Native American students
• Student dropout rate lowered by 1% to 3.8% as compared to previous year
• Exceeded state average in every area except dropout rate and 5-year completion rate

Areas of improvement:

• A graduation rate of 83.2%, although an increase from the previous year, is still much lower than our goal to help all students
• Our 5 year completion rate is 3% lower than state average (83.7%). This is much lower than the goal of helping all students receive a diploma, certificate or

We also look at specific school rates as we celebrate successes and try to replicate them in all schools. The Pendleton High School rates increased in nearly every area and exceeds the state average in every area. PHS’s outstanding graduation rates are a great tribute to the many hours of hard work our staff and community invest in our students.

The Pendleton High School four-year cohort rate is 88.8%. This is a 4.9% increase from the year before and 7% higher than the state average.

Areas of success:

• Dropout rate lowered from 3.16% to 9%
• Virtually no gap between Native American students and the general student population (1.3% difference)
• Graduation rate for students with disabilities increased by 2.3% to 2%
• Exceeds state average in all areas

Areas of improvement:

• Graduation “gaps” still exist between some student groups and the general student graduation rate
• 5-year completion rate, although higher than state average, is still an area to improve upon to ensure the success of all students

The Hawthorne High School four-year cohort rate is 55%. This is a 10.3% increase from the year before and almost 27% higher than five years ago.

Areas of success:

• 4-year completion rate of 72.5%, highest ever achieved for Hawthorne
• 5-year completion rate at 69.1%, highest ever achieved for Hawthorne Areas of improvement:
• Dropout rate very high at 8%

The Nixyaawii Community School four-year cohort rate is 87%. This is a 14.3% increase from the year before and 6% higher than the state average.

Areas of success:

• Dropout rate lowered by 1.57% to 1%
• 2% increase in 4-year completion rate
• Native American student graduation rate is 87%, 17% higher than state average for Native American students Areas of improvement:
• Dropout rate at 5.1% is higher than desired and above the state average of 3%
• 5-year completion rate is 75.8%, well below the state average of 7%

January 2025 is School Board Appreciation Month.  Thank you for your hard work and continued service to the Pendleton School District.