The Latino student body continues to grow significantly nationally—and by a dramatic 268% in Washington over the last twenty years—yet more and more Latino students are falling through the cracks. Latinos continue to trail behind in graduation rates, dropout rates, literacy rates, and college preparedness rates. 

But it doesn’t need to be this way, as evidenced by the growing number of high-performing schools with large Latino student bodies.   Consider the Yakima’s Granger High School, where eighty percent of the student body is Latino, the third highest percentage in the state. 

From the Seattle PI:

“More than 90 percent of the Class of 2008 -- almost all of whom are low-income -- graduated from high school on time.That's not all -- a whopping 90 percent of the 62 graduates are going on to some kind of post-secondary education. Thirty-seven percent are going directly to four-year colleges, 14 percent to technical schools and more than a third to two-year colleges.”

Yes, it can be done. Student success at Granger high school is a result of teamwork between educators, parents and students. Teachers are mentors who connect with students, and the students take action by leading their own conferences with parents. Practicing the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) daily helps too. Sounds like “believing is achieving” to me.

This is just a snapshot of one school’s success, but look at what can be accomplished if everyone works together. Granger High School is an inspiring example where people come together to ensure Latino students are prepared for college and work. Now, what are we waiting for?

Beginning Wednesday 2/4 and ending on Friday 2/6, The Latino/a Educational Achievement Project (LEAP) is holding an education conference in Tacoma, and a legislative day in Olympia. Their mission is to improve academic achievement of Latino/a students in Washington State. Visit the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs for additional information regarding public policy development and the delivery of government services to the Hispanic community.