David Douglas High School, the largest high school in the state, where 75 percent of students are on free/reduced lunch, continues to impress.

Last month, David Douglas won a national award for its music program. And now they’ve won an award for graduating way more kids than demographics would predict.

In the recently released Diploma Counts 2010, David Douglas is credited with a graduation rate of 83 percent. Using national averages and demographic data, Education Week calculated that a large, urban school similar to David Douglas would have a graduation rate of about 63 percent.

That means David Douglas graduates students at a 20 percent higher rate than demographics and other statistical data would predict. As a result, Education Week named David Douglas one of only 21 schools in the nation as an “overachiever” school.

In contrast, Portland Public Schools’ graduation rates dropped to 53 percent this year. Portland Public Schools have 45 percent of students on free and reduced lunch.

What is it that makes David Douglas so successful? Is it the personal connections? The proximity to the yuppies in downtown Portland? The school board members that have been there since the schools had a wealthier, less diverse population?

Whatever it is, congrats, David Douglas—I’m glad to see a program that works.

8 replies on “David Douglas High: A Bunch of Freaking Over-Achievers”

  1. Any formal insight on what makes the difference? Any case studies or other analysis you are aware.

    Definitely glad to see a program succeeding. I want to see its success spread city wide.

  2. QUOTE: “The proximity to the yuppies in downtown Portland?”

    This comment makes zero sense. Have you spent 2 minutes in the David Douglas school district? We are mostly working class families. There are are few (if any) “yuppies.” And commuting to downtown Portland from this area suggests many things (e.g. the idiocy and discomfort of urban planning; traffic jams; terrible drivers; TriMet passengers caked in dried urine, etc) but “proximity to downtown Portland” is certainly not one.

    Thanks for the kudos, I guess, and the reluctant realization that we’re “diverse,” but quite frankly, this post reads like it was pulled from your ass tendrils.

  4. Perhaps it is the dedicated teachers, support staff, and administrators that invest in these children daily. Maybe the high expectations they have for their students to succeed.

    And yes, “The proximity to the yuppies in downtown Portland?” is a horribly, untrue statement. Spend some time in the district and you will realize just how far removed it is from “the yuppies in downtown Portland?”

    And national average of hs graduation in large cities hovers around 50%. This district, teachers, and ESPECIALLY the students deserve the praise! They work hard to excel in school and in life, even when everything they have is riding against them.

    Keep up the hard work David Douglas!!! Strive to be “Freaking Over-Achievers!” There is no shame in that title!

  5. I believe it’s the diverse environment 🙂 People aren’t afraid to be smart and excel in academics or arts or whatever tickles their fancy. The more room there is for acceptance, the more room there is to thrive.

  6. David Douglas School District has required more school days, more classes to graduate and a higher GPA requirement for years. If a grade below a C is earned, there is no credit given. Higher expectations, devoted staff and hard working students with supportive parents is the key. I’m a grad, retired employee, parent of grads, and community member. Yuppies in Portland are far, far away and play no part in this district’s success.

  7. Congrats DDHS! I am a former graduate from David Douglas, I grew up in the district from K-12 and it isn’t the yuppies that help us. It is how much the teachers care about our success and help us when we fail. I think the praise should go directly to the amazing teachers that spend time with each student and look forward to helping us even if that means talking about something that isn’t school related.

    Thank you!

  8. I agree that yuppies have nothing to do with the success of David Douglas unified school district. I attended what was then Gilbert Grade School in the late 40s and early 50s. I was the valedictorian of the first graduating class in 1957, and I later returned to the campus as the choral director in 1961. From the first days of Howard Horner and Floyd Light, the school has projected the highest standards. Graduates such as Sam Elliott and Lindsay Wagner confirmed the school’s commitment to the highest standards. Congratulations on this latest honor.

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