In spite of a pandemic-caused disruption of academics, 27J Schools’ graduation rates increased for a fifth straight year, according to the district.

The rate was almost 91 percent for the 2021-2022 school year, the district said in a press statement. For comparison, 27J matched Cherry Creek Schools for the third-highest rate. The state average was a bit more than 82 percent.

The district also said it has the highest graduation rate among Hispanic students, students of color, English Language Learners, among homeless students, among foster children and among Title I students. Among its Adams County peer districts, 27J has the highest graduation rate for the fifth year in a row, according to 27J officials.

In the press statement, deputy Superintendent Will Pierce said the results are part of the district’s mission to empower today’s students to take control of their future tomorrow.

When asked about its keys to success, Deputy Superintendent Will Pierce says it’s all about 27J’s mission of empowering every student today to take control of their future tomorrow. 

The district said it used graduation rates to make changes in its support of students as they finish high school and graduate on time. As an example, 27J said it took profile of students in advanced courses and matched it with students of color who weren’t enrolled. The result, the district said, was an increased in the number and diversity of students taking higher-level courses. In turn, the result was more students involved in the highest levels of learning.

Spokeswoman Janelle Asmus said school counselors approach students any time they fall behind in their work as opposed to waiting for seniors are part way through their last year of school to see if they are on track to graduate. The counselors can build a plan for students to regain missed credits that could get in the way of an on-time graduation.

“We don’t wait for a student to take credit recovery courses during the summer, or the spring before graduation,” Pierce said in the statement. “We intervene to rectify the problem as soon as we see it.”