The principal of Coral Springs High School attributes the rise in the graduation rate to teamwork

Coral Springs, Florida – In his first year as principal, Dwayne Dixon credits his team’s efforts and attention to student achievement for the three-point increase in Coral Springs High School’s graduation rate, which went from 95.1% in 2023 to 98.1% in 2024.
He said this week that the school’s approach involves keeping a close eye on seniors’ development and resolving issues early.
Dixon stated, “It all comes down to making sure we are keeping an eye on our seniors.” “We regularly extract data to see where students are on state examinations, needed courses, and GPA. We make customized strategies for every student to ensure they fulfill graduation requirements on schedule.
According to the school district, Coral Springs High School was one of five high schools in Broward County that saw a significant improvement in graduation rates for the 2023–2024 academic year, with a three percentage point increase, last month.
Dixon went on to explain that his school helps students who fall behind by using a credit recovery program called Edmentum.
“Let’s say they failed some courses in their freshman or sophomore year, so they don’t have enough credits,” Dixon explained. “To help them catch up, we enroll them in Edmentum.”
Partnerships and on-campus resources are also advantageous to the school.
This includes the YMCA offering free after-school activities including meals, tutoring, and transportation.
For state exams, the National Honor Society also provides free math coaching.
“Our team, which includes the assistant principals and my school counseling director, meets with students one-on-one to discuss graduation requirements and offer assistance where necessary,” Dixon stated. “It really is a team effort.”
He noted that in order to reduce senior year stress brought on by numerous unfulfilled requirements, intervention techniques start as early as ninth grade, with personnel monitoring student trajectories.
Dixon stated that he intends to raise the graduation rate even further in the future.
Dixon stated, “We want 100% of our students to graduate high school; we’re not content with 98%.” “The best measure of a student’s financial success in society is a high school degree, and we’re working on whatever it takes to get there.”