JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — For the first time ever, all 2024 graduates at William H. Raines High School received passing marks on their state exams.
Parents of students at William H. Raines High School say the neighborhood school sometimes gets a bad reputation, but they believe the accomplishments of the class of 2024 are changing that point of view.
“Before you say anything about William Raines High School, why don’t come and see?" Delouis Cadet, a Raines Parents & teacher, said.
Cadet’s son Joshau is one of four William Raines High School 2024 graduates who received the Medallion Scholar, which will pay for 75% of his college tuition each year.
“I’m so happy so glad for my son, he is following the footsteps of his two sisters. They went to FAMU, graduated from here also at William Raines High School," Cadet said.
According to the DCPS Board member Warren Jones, students in the 2024 class were awarded nearly $8.5 million in academic and athletic scholarships. Ninety percent of graduates passed a college level course or received industry certification and it’s the first class to have 100% of graduates pass state exams.
Jones says, students who don't pass state exams receive a certification of completion instead a high school diploma. In the 2024 Raines class, all seniors passed the FAST, ACT, SAT or a CLT exam.
“I think this year was a little different because the pandemic, this class started during the pandemic year, and they did quit well surprisingly well," Jones said. "That’s a real accomplishment given some of the challenges our students face each and every day."
So what brought the neighborhood school on Jacksonville’s Northside so much success this year?
“We have good kids, good teachers, great staff, and if everyone does what they’re suppose to do, plus they’re parents, I guarantee you we can have the result we have this year for many years to come," Cadet said.
Some students are completing summer school, but officials expect between 90-95% graduate rate.