Principal

Hello,

By the end of today, 7,000 students across the United States will drop out of high school.

Each of those students represents more than just a statistic. They are young people with potential, dreams, and futures that suddenly become much more difficult to achieve. Their decision will have lasting consequences—not only for themselves, but for their families and communities as well.

For many years, there has been considerable discussion about the importance of obtaining a high-quality education. Rarely does a day pass without news stories highlighting the enormous cost of failing to educate a knowledgeable citizenry. The statistics are striking. Consider the following:

Nearly 70% of all inmates in state prisons, and 28.4% of inmates in the federal prison system, are high school dropouts. 23.5% of all unemployment recipients have not completed their high school education.

Statistics like these can sometimes feel distant—numbers tied to someone else's story. But when we look more closely, the impact becomes very real. Consider the table below, which illustrates the average lifetime earnings associated with different levels of educational attainment.

When we look at these numbers, the picture becomes clearer. I shared this information with our freshmen at the beginning of the school year, and I can assure you it captured their attention. The difference in earning power between a high school dropout and a college graduate is more than $1.6 million over a 40-year career—a difference of $41,860 per year.

Because so much of our students' future success hinges on earning a high school diploma, we take our responsibility to graduate every student very seriously at Washburn Rural High School. This means not only supporting students who may be struggling, but also ensuring that our course offerings remain innovative, engaging, and relevant to the interests and aspirations of our students.

To help accomplish this, we have implemented several programs designed to strengthen student success. We begin the school year with a freshman-only orientation day, helping our newest students transition smoothly into high school. Our Advisory Periods help students build stronger connections with staff and school programs, provide additional opportunities for academic support during the school day, and ultimately increase student success.

We have also restructured our Renaissance Program to not only recognize outstanding academic achievement, but also to provide incentives for grade improvement and perfect attendance. In addition, we continue to expand career pathways within our vocational departments, creating meaningful "real-world" opportunities for our students.

For example, our Construction Science program equips students with the skills and technical expertise needed to enter the workforce directly after high school if they choose. Additionally, our award-winning coffee shop, Common Grounds, is a student-run enterprise that allows students to manage their own business. From the point-of-sale system used to track purchases to the advertising and marketing of its products, every aspect of the operation is directed by our students.

Another exciting development is the continued success of the CTE Innovation Center, which provides expanded opportunities in Career and Technical Education. This cutting-edge facility serves as the hub for career pathways in Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources; Architecture & Construction; Arts; Bio-Medical; A/V & Communication; Hospitality & Tourism; and Information Technology. Designed to reflect the dynamic environments found in today's industries, the Innovation Center fosters collaboration, creativity, and hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for success in high-demand careers.

Finally, we are proud to offer both the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) programs at Washburn Rural High School. For students seeking additional academic challenge, these rigorous programs provide outstanding preparation for life after high school.

Whatever the future holds, please know that the staff at WRHS remains fully committed to providing your child with an exceptional educational experience. Thank you for your continued support of our students and our school. As always, please let us know how we can help.