Eatonville High School exceeds 9th grade academic success goal

Eatonville High School is celebrating a major academic milestone after exceeding its 9th-grade success goal for the first semester of the 2024-25 school year.

During the 2023-24 school year, 79.8% of Eatonville’s 9th-grade students passed all their classes. Recognizing the critical importance of freshman-year success, the school set a School Improvement Goal to increase that percentage to 85% in the 2024-25 academic year.

Now, with first-semester results in, the school has not only met but surpassed that goal — 90.5% of 9th graders passed all their classes and are on track to graduate.

Principal Amy Sturdivant attributes this achievement to the dedication of Eatonville’s educators, staff, and families who work tirelessly to support student success.

“This accomplishment is a reflection of the hard work put in by our students, teachers, and support teams,” said Sturdivant. “A special thank you goes to Lisa Wolfe, who has played a vital role in supporting struggling students through the Lunchtime Tutoring program for 9th and 10th graders.”

Academic research consistently highlights the importance of freshman-year performance. Ninth graders who complete the year on track are four times more likely to graduate — a stronger predictor of future success than race, ethnicity, poverty, or standardized test scores.

As Eatonville High School moves into the second semester, staff and students are determined to build on this momentum.

“This is just the beginning,” said Sturdivant. “We’re proud of our students and will continue working hard to ensure every 9th grader is set up for long-term success.”

With strong support systems and a dedicated community, Eatonville High School is proving that early academic success paves the way for bright futures.