White Bear Lake Area High School tops state average

The district’s most recent four-year graduation rate, released by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) this week, shows the district’s rate tops the state’s graduation rate of 83.6% by almost 5.5 percentage points, with 89.1% of 2022 seniors earning their diploma within four years in White Bear Lake Area Schools.

The 2022 graduation rate at White Bear Lake Area High School - South Campus, which does not include students from the district’s Area Learning Center (ALC), Distance Learning Academy or Transition Education Center (TEC) programs, is 95.7%. The Area Learning Center recorded the second-highest graduation rate compared to ALCs in our surrounding area, with a four-year graduation rate that increased 12.5 percentage points, from 51.4% in 2021 to 63.9% in 2022. 

“White Bear students are earning their diplomas in four years at a rate that exceeds the Minnesota graduation rate,” said Superintendent Wayne Kazmierczak. “We are proud of the efforts our students are making as they design and create their own future, and we are committed to helping them grow and continue to succeed.”

Twelve designated student groups within the district exceeded the statewide average, ranging from 1.7 percentage points above state average for students Not Receiving Free/Reduced Meals to 16.9 percentage points above state average for students receiving Special Education services. MDE does not publicly report graduation percentages for student populations of fewer than 10 students; therefore, our Other Indigenous Peoples and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander student groups are not available as distinct student groups but are included in overall district and building data.

Notably, White Bear Lake Area High School - South Campus topped the state average in all areas, with rates 20 percentage points or more above the state average in the following student groups: Hispanic or Latino (89.7% compared to 69.3% state average), Two or more races (100% compared to 79.2% state average), English Learner (86.7% compared to 65% state average), and those Receiving Free/Reduced Price Meals (91.5% compared to 71.1% state average). WBLAHS - South Campus students receiving Special Education services were 19.8 percentage points above the state average (85.3% to 65.5% state average).

WBLAHS - South Campus’ graduation rate (95.7%) compares favorably to other area high schools: Mounds View High School (96.5%), Mahtomedi High School (96.2%), Stillwater High School (96.2%), Centennial High School (95%), Irondale High School (92.3%), Roseville Area High School (90.1%), Forest Lake Area High School (86.2%), Tartan High School (86.2%) and North Senior High School (83.5%).

Those students who do not graduate in four years have the opportunity to continue on in the district through alternative programs at the Area Learning Center. Most students who do not graduate in four years generally end up earning their diploma at the Area Learning Center. The Transition Education Center also provides young adults, ages 18-21, with specialized programming designed to meet their post-secondary transition goals as they earn their diploma.  

“Supports we have put in place that help students cross the finish line and graduate include specific programs that ensure student success through rigorous curriculum and efforts to close the achievement gap. School-wide programs focus on building relationships with students to better help understand where they need support to succeed,” said Superintendent Wayne Kazmierczak. “We will continue to implement programs like these that help every student find success.”

*Does not include students from ALC, Distance Learning Academy- HS, or TEC
**MDE does not report graduation percentages for student populations of fewer than 10 students