We established our 9th Grade Success Network to address a critical challenge facing high schools across the Pacific Northwest: ensuring that every student completes 9th grade on track to graduate.

Research from the University of Chicago (2005) and Phillips (2019) demonstrated that students who are on-track by the end of their freshman year are 3.5 times more likely to graduate than those who are not.

Recognizing this pivotal transition point, our agency brought together 31 high schools in Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties to form a collaborative network.

Our network was founded on the principle that by sharing strategies, resources, and best practices, we could collectively improve outcomes for all students, with particular attention to historically underserved populations.

Since our inception in 2017, the network has grown from a small pilot program to a robust regional collaboration. Schools work together to identify effective interventions, analyze data, and implement evidence-based practices that support 9th graders during this critical year. Through regular convenings, professional development, and shared learning, our network has become a model for regional educational improvement efforts.

See Our Work in Action: Announcements & Stories