AHS dropout numbers down by nearly half

The dropout rate for Alleghany County Schools decreased by nearly half last year.

According to data released last week by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, the Alleghany County school system reported only 15 dropouts in grades seven through 12 in 2000-01, for a rate of 2.38 percent.

In 1999-2000, 28 pupils dropped out, a rate of 4.34. That represents a 45 percent reduction in the dropout rate.

The rate for 1999-2000 had risen from the previous year. The 1998-99 rate was 3.12, with 21 pupils dropping out.

Speaking of the dropout numbers, Personnel/Student Services Director Brenda Sutherland said, "Ours dropped dramatically. We are so excited. Hopefully it will continue."

Statewide, dropouts decreased by 9 percent, from 24,585 in 1999-2000 to 22,365 in 2000-01. The state's dropout rate went from 4.60 in 1998-99 (25,567 dropouts) to 4.34 in 1999-2000, to 3.86 in 2000-01. Figures for only grades nine through 12 showed the state had 24,452 dropouts in 1998-99 (a 6.78 rate), 23,587 in 1999-2000 (6.42) and 21,368 in 2000-01 (5.71).

All of Alleghany's dropouts during the last three years were in ninth through 12th grades. The high school-only rate, therefore, was 4.63 in 1998-99, 6.29 in 1999-2000 and 3.61 in 2000-01.

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