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The high school graduation rates in St John the Baptist parish have experienced a decline within the last six years, according to the latest state data.

More than half of the high schools in St John the Baptist parish fell short of hitting the state average graduation rates in the past six years, according to data released by the Louisiana  Education Department this week.

Among the schools furthest from meeting the state’s graduation average was East St. John High School in Reserve, with an overall graduation rate last year of 63.3 percent, which fell short of the state’s average of 83.1 percent.

West St John High School in Edgard, had a graduation rate of 80 percent, according to the preliminary data, which is 3.1 points short of the state average. In 2016, St John the Baptist Parish had an 80.7 percent high school graduation rate. It’s best ever high school graduation rate which toppled the state average at 78.2 percent.

For high schools in the river parishes – St Charles, St James and St John – high schools in St John parish have the lowest graduation rates. 

At St Charles parish in 2023, roughly 90 percent graduated and at St James parish, 92.5 percent did. St John the Baptist ranked bottom in the percentage of students graduating.

It’s easy to compare graduation rates in a state because each parish or district has the same method of tracking the data. 

The statewide graduation rate in 2023 trails the percentage in 2020, when 84% of high school seniors earned diplomas after the state waived its requirement that students pass an exit exam to graduate.

In a statement, Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley praised educators and parents for the increase but noted that the state’s education leaders still have their work cut out for them. 

“Even as we recognize this upward trend, we must remain focused on our true goal of ensuring all students graduate ready for a career, college or service,” he said. “I look forward to our continued work of adding increased value to a Louisiana diploma.” 

In total, 40,930 Louisiana students graduated high school at the end of the 2022-23 school year, an increase of about 280 students from the previous year.

Louisiana Department of Education spokesman Ted Beasley said the state’s graduation data typically lags a year behind, which is why the 2023 rate is being released now. The one-year lag time in releasing the data will be eliminated after Louisiana adopts a new school-rating system next year, Beasley said.