Flagler County schools are climbing the charts with graduation rates, which is now very close to the statewide rate.
- Flagler County schools improved graduation rate by 3 points
- Now at 80.4 percent, near state average
- District attributes success to programs like Take Stock in Children
- RELATED: See graduation rates throughout Florida
Ramona Smith has about two years until she graduates high school, but she said working with a mentor is keeping her on track.
“Keep my grades up, be able to just focus on school a lot,” said Smith.
The Flagler Palm Coast High School sophomore is a part of Rebecca Bower's Take Stock in Children program in Flagler County.
“We put in the time and the hours with the students to get them to graduation," Bower said. "We have a group of teachers and mentors who are passionate about seeing them through graduation."
Its programs like TSIC that put a major focus on graduation and helping students become college and career ready.
Bower said they also challenge the students to set goals.
That ultimately helped pushed the district to an 80.4 percent graduation rate this past year.
“It really is not a question of whether you're going to graduate, but what you're going to do after you graduate," said Bower.
Their program graduates 96 percent of their kids.
The district also improved 3 points over the previous year and just a couple points away from the state's 80.7 percent graduation rate.
Hispanic students increased to more than 80 percent and blacks are now more than 68 percent.
“To know that the district I'm in is fantastic is just outstanding,” said Smith.
Smith knows her future looks bright as she keeps her eyes on walking across the stage one day.
“College acceptance and graduating," said Smith.
She is also planning to make her family proud as a first generation college student.
“It's really exciting to know that I'll be the first one to be attending a college that I'd like to go to and to be able to honor my family that way," said Smith.