Putnam County schools all top 2018 state graduation rate

The Indiana Department of Education has released the 2018 state graduation rate, and all four Putnam County school corporations have exceeded the state average in virtually every way, shape and form.

In 2018, Indiana's waiver graduation rate was 88.1 percent, and the non-waiver rate was 80.78 percent, indicating a slight increase over the previous year. In 2017, the waiver graduation rate was 87.19 percent with a non-waiver graduation rate of 80.10 percent.

The 2018 state graduation rate for Putnam schools factored to 97.09 percent for North Putnam, 96.51 for Cloverdale, 95.9 for Greencastle and 88.76 for South Putnam.

In Putnam County, the non-waiver rates were 93.2 percent for North Putnam, 93.02 for Cloverdale, 91.8 for Greencastle and 87.64 for South Putnam.

"With the increase to Indiana's graduation rate, it is evident our schools are committed to the academic success of our students," Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick said in announcing the rates Wednesday. "While there is still work to be done, we will continue to partner with local districts to ensure every student graduates prepared for life beyond high school."

Among male students in Putnam County, the graduation rates for 2018 were all above 90 percent at 96.15 percent in Greencastle (67 of 70), 94 percent at North Putnam (47 of 50), 92.86 at South Putnam (39 of 42) and 91.8 percent at Cloverdale (34 of 37).

On the female side, it was 100 percent for both Cloverdale and North Putnam, which graduated, respectively, all 49 and 53 young women in the 2018 class. Greencastle posted a 95.18 percent mark with 50 of its 52 females graduating, while South Putnam was at 85.11 percent with 40 of 47 receiving diplomas.

In the general education track, Cloverdale was best locally at 93.3 percent (28 of 30 students), followed by North Putnam at 92.31 percent (36 of 39), Greencastle at 91.49 (43 of 47) and South Putnam at 79.41 (27 of 34 general ed pupils).

Among students who receive free or reduced lunch, 93.33 percent (28 of 30) graduated at Cloverdale in 2018. North Putnam graduated 36 of 39 for 92.31 percent, followed by Greencastle at 91.4 percent (43 of 47) and South Putnam with 27 of 34 graduating for 79.41 percent.

Due to differences between federal and state accountability equations and standards, IDOE also released 2018 federal graduation rates. In 2018, Indiana's federal graduation rate was 87.23 percent, and the federal non-waiver rate was 79.97 percent. With the previous exclusion of the general diploma due to the Every Student Success Act, Indiana's 2018 federal graduation rate is not comparable to prior years, officials noted.