The past three years have been challenging for our Osseo Area Schools scholars; multiple data points have reflected that the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftereffects have negatively impacted learning and achievement. Today, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) shared some encouraging news – more of our district students are graduating. The latest results show a 1.7% increase in our four-year graduation rate between 2021 and 2022. This equates to 81.6% of our seniors graduating in 2022.
“It’s clear that our strategic plan and added learning supports have begun helping more of our scholars get what they need to succeed,” said Superintendent Cory McIntyre. “But, we still have work to do to reach this goal with each one of our scholars. ”
“We’re not quite to our graduation rates prior to the pandemic, but we’re inching measurably closer,” he added.
Digging deeper into the details, all ethnic groups represented at Osseo Area Schools made gains of 2-5% in graduation rates over last year with the exception of the Hispanic student population, which saw a 4% decline from 2021. Multilingual students also saw a lower graduation rate over last year, while the district’s homeless student population saw a significant, 7% gain. Graduation rates for special education and low income students held steady from 2021.
Osseo Area Schools has paved a new path forward to act on opportunities for student growth. District educators have worked tirelessly to improve multi-tiered systems of support that provide academic intervention for scholars struggling in math and reading, as well as meeting mental health needs through school counselors, school psychologists, social workers, and other student services staff. The strategic plan further outlines Osseo Area Schools bold future and how it will provide scholars and families with the educational experience they desire and deserve.
“Our district leaders and staff members will continue to innovate and find ways to reach struggling learners,” McIntyre said. “We’ve made some progress that we can be proud of, and we will continue to hone in on ways to improve and give our scholars the opportunity to graduate with the confidence, courage and competence to make their dreams a reality.”
| 2021 | 2022 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| State | 83.4% | 83.6% | +0.2% |
| District | 79.9% | 81.6% | +1.7% |
| Maple Grove | 91.5% | 93.8% | +2.3% |
| Osseo | 83.5% | 84.7% | +1.2% |
| Park Center | 75.4% | 75.1% | -0.3% |
| 279Online | N/A | 73.8% | N/A |