(Des Moines, IA) -- Des Moines Public Schools is launching a new Diploma Plus Program to increase the district's graduation rate. The goal of the program is to help more students feel prepared to continue their education, start a career, or enlist in the military after high school.
“We need to be strategic in how we set up students with specific academic courses, activities, or external opportunities that dramatically increase the likelihood they will graduate and go on to either enroll, become employed, or enlist,” said Dr. Robert Lundin, Academic Officer of Des Moines Public Schools.
The four-year graduation rate for the Class of 2023 was 72.2 percent, but Lundin believes the Diploma Plus Program can help raise that rate to 100 percent.
The program will officially begin with this year’s incoming freshman class, but elements of the program will be available to all Des Moines Public Schools students.
“To allow students in elementary and middle school, and even in our early childhood grades, to start thinking about the activities or courses and specific pathways they are most passionate about, and then to start anchoring their studies in what they know they want to aspire to be doing,” said Lundin.
The Diploma Plus Program will begin this upcoming school year with the incoming freshman class. Lundin says the goal of the program is to allow students to explore their interests and feel prepared for life after graduation.
The program is designed to help students explore their interests and feel confident about life after graduation. Unlike traditional honors such as making the honor roll or lettering in a sport, this program offers 11 distinct pathways that allow students to engage in college-level work, earn certifications, and gain real-world experience:
- Completion of 1 Year of College
- Certificate or Credential
- College Readiness
- CTE Concentrator
- Internship or Project
- Military Intent
- Multi-Disciplinary
- Performance Excellence
- Seal of Biliteracy
- Senior Capstone Project
- Silver Cord
Many of the pathways will be available for students during school hours.
“We don’t want students to feel like they have to hunt down the specific opportunities that are going to allow them to be set up on the pathway to success,” said Lundin.