Cabell County dropout rate, 6/4/07

Two days ago, about 330 students graduated from Huntington High School and 400 graduated from Cabell Midland. I saw those numbers in the Sunday morning paper, and I thought they looked low. So a few minutes ago I checked with my records, and they are low. Here's why:

Here are the October enrollment numbers for the two public high schools in Cabell County for the Class of 2007:

Freshman year: 516 at Midland; 492 at HHS.
Sophomore year: 514 at Midland; 442 at HHS.
Junior year: 437 at Midland; 401 at HHS.
Senior year: 427 at Midland; 360 at HHS.
Graduating class: 400 at Midland; 330 at HHS.

So, 116 of the kids in freshman class at Midland four years ago did not receive diplomas from CMHS two day ago. That's 22 percent.

At HHS, you can see that 162 former freshman didn't graduate with their class. That's 33 percent.

A few of those students may have been held back a year for academic reasons, and they can expect to graduate next year. Some may have come to freshman year from private school or home school, decided public school wasn't for them and opted out.

And yes, people move in and out, but there can't be that many more school-age people moving out than in.

As I've said before, some students shouldn't be in the high school environment. It's sad to accept that, but some who drop out may go on to get a GED. Good for them.

But you have to look at the shrinking class of 2007 and ask if too many people are dropping out. Superintendent Bill Smith has told The Herald-Dispatch editorial board of problems that many students face at home. It makes you wonder how a teenager who is not dedicated to learning can overcome some of those problems.

This is something I'll have to chew on this summer.