Vista H.S. sees major decline in dropout rate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Yuma Union High School District (YUHSD) is celebrating a big fall in dropout rates at one of our high schools.

So, what exactly is this school doing to help retain more students and have them graduate?

One of the reasons for the major dropout decrease at vista high school is teacher-home visits.

Vista High reported a 75% fall in dropouts from one school year to another.

Their dropout rate was at 23% during the 2020-21 school year and quickly dropped to 6% in the 2021-22 school year.

Vista High's principal, Brett Surguine, says that teacher-home visits were the key to making sure students were going to school.

“Every single teacher on campus did a day of home visits two times last year with our dropout prevention specialist to go knock on doors and connect with families and find out what was happening with the students who weren’t coming to school," said Principal Surguine.

The principal also adds a dropout prevention specialist works closely with the school counselor and students to figure out a solid graduation plan.

The celebration for the drop couldn’t come sooner as it’s been over 10 years since vista has seen a dropout rate this low.

“That's the lowest we have on record and the last time vista was below 10% was 2008-9, the lowest dropout rate we’ve ever seen," said Principal Surguine.

Their school counselor, Monique Slaughter, says their dropout prevention specialist has gone the extra mile to find what students need to be successful in school.

“She would go talk to teachers, myself, our social worker, in regards to what that student might need and so it can help eliminate whatever obstacle is in their way," said Slaughter.

Arizona ranks very poorly in education and YUHSD is putting in the work to change that around.

What’s most important from this new data is that our local students are choosing to stay in school and working one-on-one with them is making a difference.