They set a goal of 70 percent graduation rate. But not only did Metter High meet the goal -- they exceeded it!
MHS Principal John Jordan proudly announced to Board of Education members on Thursday that the high school graduation rate was 78.9 percent, 8.9 percent above the target for 2008-'09 and 14.5 percent higher than the 2007-'08 academic year.
To make AYP, a school is required to have a 75 percent graduation rate, so in this area, the school has achieved its AYP requirements.
"We're very pleased with the progress we had in 2008-09," Jordan said.
"What do we attribute this to?" he asked. "First and foremost, I believe it's the policies that you (the BOE) set for us, that vision of where we are going. Now we're starting to really see some growth in this area.
"Second is practices. You can set the policies, but if it's not taking place in the classroom, it's not going to happen." Jordan said these practices are taking place at all grade levels in Metter, not just at MHS.
"Also programs," he continued. "We toil over what programs to implement." Jordan added that such programs as NovaNet credit recovery, the Performance Learning MHS exceeds graduation goal Center and other opportunities have allowed the faculty at MHS to target individual students who need additional help.
At the conclusion of the 2008-'09 school year, Jordan said that the 9th-grade
class had 86.86 percent of students on track for graduation, while 81.56 percent of the 10th grade students were on track, having successfully achieved the required credits for their grade level.
"The teachers, students, parents and the community are working together to make this happen, and I'm very pleased with this progress," said Jordan.

 Courtesy of Metter Advertiser