Education
Education and early development of the brain is highly influenced by exposure to the world and many of the things it has to offer. Children that have been stimulated with positive experiences often have a much larger brain size and capacity then those that are neglected or grow up with crime and violence.
Secondary School Graduation Rates
What does this measure?
The four-year and five-year graduation rate is calculated as the percentage of students who receive an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) within four or five years of starting Grade 9. Students who have transferred out of province, or died, are not included in calculating the graduation rate.
For students to earn an OSSD, they must:
- earn a minimum of 30 credits, including 18 compulsory credits and 12 optional credits
- meet the provincial secondary school literacy requirement, and
- complete 40 hours of community involvement activities.
Why does it matter?
Students who fail to complete high school:
- have more difficulty securing meaningful employment that leads to social well-being
- are more likely to be recipients of social assistance and employment insurance
- experience more mental and physical health problems
- are more likely to engage in illegal activities and substance abuse.
How are Hastings and Prince Edward Counties doing?
Overall, the Hastings Prince Edward School Board has lower graduation rates than Ontario. In contrast, the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board (ALCDSB) which includes Hastings and Prince Edward Counties has graduation rates higher than Ontario. The ALCDSB graduation rate is for the entire school board and is not exclusive to schools in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties.