Columbia Public Schools wants to increase graduation rate at Douglass High School

The Columbia Public School District wants federal grant money to improve one local high school’s graduation rates.

Two months ago, the district planned to ask for more money for Douglass High School.

Three years ago, Douglass was first recognized as a school in need of improvement in the classroom, with a graduation rate lower than 60 percent.

Those numbers are slowly improving, but school officials still hope to do more.

Things are quiet now in front of Douglass High School, but two weeks from Tuesday , it’s going to be anything but quiet as students return to classes. However, as students work their way toward graduation, CPS leaders hope $450,000 in federal money will help them get there.

“There are a number of strategies we’ve outlined that we would like to implement at Douglass using those funds,” said Michelle Baumstark, with Columbia Public School District.

Those funds could lead to GED preparation, teacher development, plus the continuation of programs already in place that just need some additional financial dollars.

Douglass High School is for students who need a more tailored learning environment.

“There are certain projects that if we had the ability to expand, we feel would be really successful in that educational environment,” said Baumstark.

According to the district’s research, nearly three times the number of students at Douglass failed at least one class compared to the other schools in the district. It’s a contributing factor to low graduation rates at Douglass.

“There are a lot of different elements, it’s not just one thing that is going to fix the graduation rate for any of our students,” said Baumstark.

According to research done by the school district, the numbers are increasing. This year, 72 students graduated.

School officials hope receiving this grant money will make that number even better.

“It’s a combination of a lot of things, absolutely, being able to provide them with the materials, different assessments as far as career readiness, college prep, or pathways for students to not only be able to reach post-secondary opportunities but also career opportunities,” Baumstark said.

The end goal is being to not only help the students financially, but academically.