The graduation rate for secondary students at the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board (RCCDSB) closely matched the provincial average in 2014, according to a report released on April 1, 2015, by the Ontario Ministry of Education. RCCDSB’s five-year graduation rate was 85% while the provincial average was 84%. The province’s four-year graduation rate was 76% and RCCDSB’s was 75%. This is the first time the province has published board-by-board graduation rates.
The province made the calculation for the 2014 graduation rate based on the 2009–2010 cohort of students, which includes those who entered Grade 9 in 2009–2010. At RCCDSB, for instance, the calculation includes students who successfully completed their Ontario Secondary School Diploma in either four or five years at RCCDSB, as well as students who moved from RCCDSB to another system. Students who left the province are beyond the Board’s ability to track.
“This data will form part of our ongoing improvement planning. Our Board is committed to ensuring that all of our students can achieve their personal best,” said Board Chair Bob Michaud. “We offer solid instructional practice for all students and alternative education opportunities for those who may not thrive in a traditional classroom setting. As a Catholic school board, our focus is on nurturing the giftedness of each individual and encouraging our students to reach their best potential, while respecting the dignity and worth of all those around us,” Michaud added.
Director of Education Michele Arbour added that “Everyone in our Board—from school trustees to administrators, principals, teachers and support staff—works as a team to provide a safe, caring and respectful environment to support student success and well-being, close gaps in individual learning and increase public confidence in our school system. We will continue to strive for our students’ success,” she said, “by providing extensive professional development to our teachers and the latest in e-learning classroom technologies, as well as innovative special education and alternative learning programs that are based on best practices to respond to each of our students’ specific needs.”
April 1, 2015
For further information, please contact:
Michele Arbour, Director of Education
Renfrew County Catholic District School Board
499 Pembroke Street West
Pembroke, ON K8A 5P1
Phone: 613-735-1031 or 1-800-267-0191
