State data shows Philomath students thriving in graduation metrics

The Philomath School District continues to outpace state averages in key student achievement metrics, according to the Oregon Department of Education’s newly released At-A-Glance School and District Profiles for the 2024-25 school year.

The standout performance came from Philomath High School, which posted a 98% on-time graduation rate compared to the state average of 82%. The high school’s five-year completion rate reached 99%, up 6% from the previous year and significantly above the statewide average of 87%.

Oregon students on track to graduate reaches record high, but poor attendance persists

The rate of Oregon ninth graders on track to graduate in four years hit record highs during the 2024-25 school year, according to new data from the Oregon Department of Education. But nearly 35% of those students were chronically absent, generally meaning they missed at least three weeks of classes during the 160-day school year.…

by Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle 21 hours agoNovember 20, 2025

Districtwide, the four-year graduation rate was 87%, which includes PHS, Kings Valley Charter School and Philomath Academy.

“The on-time graduation and the five-year completion continue to be a highlight just simply because of where things are,” said Susan Halliday, Philomath superintendent of schools.

The district also showed strong results in keeping freshmen on track for graduation. At Philomath High School, 94% of ninth graders were on track to graduate, meaning they earned at least one-quarter of their required credits in their first year. Districtwide, that figure was 92%, both above the state average of 87%.

Halliday credited several targeted programs for the positive outcomes, including a bridge program offered to incoming freshmen for a couple of weeks before the school year starts.

“It’s a half day — a get-acclimated opportunity that is for students that are recommended but there are also openings for kids or families that want to participate,” she said. “But it’s really pretty focused on getting kids ready for what high school is like and that has been very successful.”

The high school has prioritized connecting students with adults.

“The high school has also made it its business to be able to have at least an adult connected with every kid to be able to look at and how do we continue to encourage their success,” Halliday said. “It’s a conscious effort that actually involves face-to-face conversations and opportunities to just say, ‘hey, how are you going?’ and to check in.”

While graduation rates shine, attendance remains a challenge shared with schools across Oregon. The district’s regular attender rate was 67%, matching the statewide average. Statewide, attendance has improved since the pandemic but remains below pre-pandemic levels.

Halliday said the district has implemented several strategies to improve attendance, particularly at the elementary level, including incentive-based programs, posting class attendance percentages, sending letters home to families, and emphasizing the importance of school attendance in newsletters.

The district also adjusted its calendar based on parent feedback to have all students off on the same days, reducing absences that occurred when some grade levels had off-days while others didn’t.

Interestingly, Halliday noted that attendance patterns in Philomath differ from many other districts. Students in what are called underserved populations, including Hispanic students, have strong attendance numbers.

“We actually find that there is a strong attendance at school with some of those groups of kids,” Halliday said. “It would feel like there is a safety and an importance in being able to come to school.”

Looking ahead to the second half of the school year, Halliday said the district will continue focusing on attendance and monitoring ninth graders on track for graduation. The district is also preparing for the State Board of Education to adopt a list of local test measures.

“We already use some of them to be able to look at student progress three times a year,” Halliday said. “Our hope is it will become the measures by which we take a look at student success. We’re continuing to do what we do and monitor that data more closely.”

The statewide data release showed Oregon’s highest-ever percentage of students on track to graduate, including growth among historically marginalized student groups. There were also notable increases in proficiency in third grade English language arts and eighth grade math.

The profiles are part of ODE’s updated Oregon Online Report Card, which launched in January 2025 with new dial features that allow parents and families to quickly compare their school’s performance to district and state averages.