Former charter high school principal Morgan Barth helped his school become one of the top-ranking schools in Connecticut and the United States. Morgan Barth played an integral role in getting many of his students into the college or university of their choice.
For many high school students nearing graduation, choosing a college or university can be overwhelming. However, the task can be achieved by keeping a few factors in mind. In the college stakes game, universities with a great athletic program or a “party school” reputation may be attractive but might not be the best choice in terms of academics.
Students looking for a school with education as its priority should pay attention to both the school’s retention (especially in the first year) and graduation rate. Retention is the number of accepted students who do not drop out, particularly in the freshman year when students are most vulnerable. This rate tells how much the school invests in academic support. High retention rates indicate more support.
Students should pay attention to the graduation rate for similar reasons. However, graduation rates must be placed in context.
Selective schools base their admittance on stringent criteria, including academic preparedness, which is an indicator of a student’s chance of graduating. Schools that are not as selective accept many more students, regardless of their preparedness, who might not finish.
