October 16, 2024 — West High School students and staff have a reason to celebrate. Through dedicated support and strategic programs, the school has witnessed a remarkable boost in graduation rates. Recently, students gathered to celebrate their achievements, joined by District leaders, who commended the students and education’s critical role in shaping futures.
West High School Principal Dr. Daniel Roberts highlighted the collective drive that transformed the school environment.
“We’ve instilled a sense of family and belonging,” Dr. Roberts said. “Our students see that we’re here for them, that we’re invested in their success, and that they’re part of a team. [Students] want to make us proud and take ownership of their future.”
At the heart of this achievement is a team-oriented support structure for each graduating class. Known as cohorts, faculty and staff monitor the progress of each graduating class, offering targeted tutoring and implementing credit-recovery programs to keep students on track.
"The staff works together to help plan supports and interventions so that students can have what they need to succeed,” said Carrie Ebright, mathematics teacher and senior cohort leader at West High School.“[The students] know that there are a lot of adults in this building who are focused on their success.”
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021-2022 Ohio State Report Card marked West High’s graduation rate at 59.3%, and by the 2023-2024 school year, this figure has climbed to 81.7% according to the District’s Strategic Performance team. This is due to West’s successful matriculation rates.
“For those students who are off track, [staff] figure out what they need for support," said Carlee Beatty, English teacher and junior cohort leader. “Myself, the administrators, and counselors, are all involved in meeting with students and talking about what we can do to support them.”
With each meeting, cohort leaders recognize student struggles, celebrate progress made, and express pride in students’ drive to succeed. The celebration allowed District leadership to see the product of this hard work and give students the pat on the back they deserve.
“West High School's progress reflects the power of our cohort model, where staff actively support students on their journey to graduation,” said Columbus City Schools Superintendent and CEO Dr. Angela Chapman. “I'm incredibly proud of how our team and targeted programs have come together to keep more students on track and empower them to take ownership of their futures. This achievement results from a committed school community working together to ensure every student reaches their goals and achieves success beyond the classroom."
West follows the Columbus City Schools graduation requirement of earning 22 credits, with clear benchmarks in place for grade level promotion. To advance to 10th grade, students must accumulate at least five credits, four being in core subjects like math and language arts. Through these structured expectations, students gain a sense of purpose and direction. This foundation continues into junior and senior years, pushing students toward graduation with strong academic and personal growth standards.
“Our future is our students,” Dr. Roberts emphasized. “That's the message that I want to send out, not only to highlight the achievements our students are making, but to remind people that the school and the community are one.”
West students and staff are proud of their progress and committed to making a difference. With the support of devoted staff, students are reaching graduation milestones, and preparing to thrive in the next chapter of their lives through resilience, teamwork, and vision.
