The Columbia County Spotlight recently highlighted encouraging gains in ninth grade on-track rates across the county. Clatskanie, Rainier and St. Helens all posted significant improvements in the number of freshman earning at least one-quarter of the credits needed to graduate. 

Scappoose School District continues to lead the way with on-track rates above 90% for the past four years. 

Since 2018, Northwest Regional Education Service District's 9th Grade Success Network has partnered with school districts throughout the region -- including those in Columbia County -- to strengthen the relationships students have with teachers and with each other. 

“Much of the work they do is around improving relationships between adults and students and improving peer-to-peer connections," says Hilary Clark-Hassinger, a professional learning coach who co-leads the network. 

Read: St. Helens, Clatskanie, Rainier schools see boost in ninth graders on track to graduate [paywall]