CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Laramie County School District 1’s four-year graduation rate reached 80.14% in the 2021–22 school year, data show.
“In spite of the challenges this cohort of students experienced, we are very proud of their success and perseverance to graduate on time,” Superintendent Dr. Margaret Crespo said.
Graduation rates for students with Individual Education Plans, also known as IEPs, increased 15% over the past two cohorts. The district also saw an increase in minority populations across the district, with an 82.3% rate. This is a 13.2% increase over the same time period.
“As freshmen coming into high school in 2018, we realize our students were faced with unique challenges in navigating a high school experience by the end of their cohort year of 2022,” Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Jim Fraley said. “The Wyoming Department of Education begins the four-year timeframe for all students to graduate as soon as they begin ninth grade. Students beginning their high school transition as freshmen experienced uncertainty and a path they had not undergone in prior years. Some chose virtual learning, home school, pursued a GED program, or even took a time out from school to adapt to a changing environment. Oftentimes, these students then fall out of their cohort track to graduate on time.”
“We would like to acknowledge our amazing staff and students for their hard work. The pandemic posed several challenges for our students, staff and families,” Crespo said. “This is a testament to all the tireless work within our schools as they managed these unique circumstances.”
Students who did not meet the graduation deadline for their four-year cohort are still eligible for late graduation.
“We celebrate a completion rate that continues to show the promise of not giving up on students even when they do not meet the four-year cohort benchmark,” Crespo said. “Through a comprehensive and collaborative team approach, LCSD1 will respond by adapting to meet the needs of our learners in the district. Our goal is to ensure that our students remain on track to graduate.”
According to the Wyoming Department of Education, LCSD1’s graduation rate is roughly on par with statewide numbers, which indicated that roughly 81.8% of high school seniors graduated in the 2021–22 school year.
“Wyoming’s resolve in keeping schools open during the COVID-19 global lockdowns of the 2020–21 school year has proven to be a win for our students and communities,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder.
Since the 2009–10 school year, the WDE has calculated graduation rates using the Federal Four-Year Adjusted Cohort Methodology established by the U.S. Department of Education, complying with federal law that requires all states to calculate graduation rates the same way. Students are counted in the four-year, on-time high school graduation rate if they earn a diploma by Sept. 15 following their cohort’s fourth year.
