LUTCHER – On average, more students from St. James Parish Public Schools are enrolling in college than students in most other public school districts across the state, according to a report released by the Louisiana Department of Education.

St. James Parish students rank No. 8 in the state for attending college after high school graduation with 69 percent, or 264 of its 2014 high school graduates, entering either a two-year or four-year college in the fall of 2014.

“We believe the increase in college participation among our graduates is a direct result of the preparatory programs we have implemented in our high schools, better preparing our students for higher educations, and in many cases, giving them credits they can apply to their college schedules,” said St. James Parish School Superintendent Alonzo “Lonnie” Luce.

Luce credited the efforts of faculty, students and parents with improving their focus on post-secondary opportunities, including dual credit effort with Nicholls State University, River Region Community College and Louisiana Technical College.

Luce specifically cited several initiatives that have played a role in the improvements:

• The implementation of higher academic standards, comparable with states across the country.

• ACT access to all students in 11th grade, regardless of income, to ensure all students are on track to graduate with the knowledge and skills to succeed in college or careers.

• More dual credit courses offered to juniors and seniors.

• Jump Start program in new collaborations and partnerships with colleges and businesses, providing students with courses in their career paths.

• A high school accountability system that measures how well schools equip students for college and the workplace.