HAMLET — The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction hosted Richmond Early College High School Principal Tonya Waddell and REaCH English teacher Gretchen Grooms — along with officials from several other school districts across the state — in Raleigh for a Graduation Achievement Awards Recognition and Luncheon Tuesday.

Julian Carter, executive director of human resources for Richmond County Schools, also attended the luncheon “to support Richmond Early College as they received this excellent honor,” said local Superintendent Dr. Cindy Goodman.

Richmond County Early College High School and Scotland County Early College High received accolades for making the “100 Percent Club,” meaning every student enrolled graduated.

Anson County Early College High School was recognized for its 97.2 percent graduation rate.

“The path begins long before high school,” Goodman said in a statement to the Daily Journal. “Placing students on a trajectory toward graduation starts with quality instruction at the elementary level. It is important to have high expectations for all our students and engage them in relevant, rigorous work.”

Richmond Senior High School’s 2016 graduation rate was 87.4 percent, according to Goodman — slightly higher than the state average of 85.8 percent. And data provided by Goodman shows the graduation rates for each of the past five years fluctuating.

Previous years’ graduation rates at RSHS were:

• 2015 — 89.5 percent

• 2014 — 88.1 percent

• 2013 — 84.8 percent

• 2012 — 85.4 percent

“There is no significant achievement gap amongst any of our subgroups,” Goodman said. “Currently, our African-American students have the highest graduation rate, but all our subgroups continue to improve.”

Asked what drop-out reduction policies are in place in Richmond County Schools, Goodman said a variety of measures play a part in increasing the number of graduates.

“One recent change in our board policy is to create a pathway to graduation for students who are substantially older than their classmates but have met all the core requirements for graduation,” she said. “We also encourage alternative placements as a last-ditch effort to keep all our students in school.”

Reach reporter Melonie McLaurin at 910-817-2673 and follow her on Twitter @meloniemclaurin.

Courtesy photo North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson (center) presents Richmond Early College High School Principal Tonya Waddell (right) and English teacher Gretchen Grooms (left) with a certificate of achievement during an awards luncheon in Raleigh Tuesday.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_REaCHAward.jpgCourtesy photo North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson (center) presents Richmond Early College High School Principal Tonya Waddell (right) and English teacher Gretchen Grooms (left) with a certificate of achievement during an awards luncheon in Raleigh Tuesday.

By Melonie McLaurin

[email protected]