College readiness is an important indication of a student’s ability to succeed beyond high school, in a future career, and even financially. A recent study from Georgetown University found that, a full-time, full-year worker with a Bachelor’s degree can expect to earn $1 million more over a lifetime than a high school graduate, on average.
Eden Prairie High School continues to maintain the largest average percentage of graduates who attend college compared to any of our counterparts in the Lake Conference (Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Wayzata) and beyond.
According to statistics from the Minnesota Statewide Longitudinal Education Data System (SLEDS), an average of 88 percent of Eden Prairie High School students from 2014 to 2016 enrolled in college during their first year after high school. An impressive 95 percent of EPHS students who graduated in 2014 and 93 percent in 2015 persisted on to their second year of college.
“These high percentages are a mark of a strong high school and its ability to prepare students for the highest level possible,” said high school principal Robb Virgin. “The large percentage of students who remain in college a second year indicates an even stronger mark of their college readiness and future success.”
Eden Prairie High School students also continue to take advantage of the many opportunities to enroll in more rigorous courses. Over a third of students participate in Advanced Placement courses and last year, 1,687 students participated in additional advanced course offerings. Over 95% of students have also set academic and social/emotional goals as the district works to inspire each student every day.
“Eden Prairie Schools maintains a commitment to ensuring each student is inspired every day. While we maintain high academic standards as a district, we also work to develop critical thinkers, students who can collaborate with their teammates, are creative and know how to effectively communicate,” said Superintendent Dr. Josh Swanson. “These are real life skills we often hear from employers and universities are even more important than academic skills.”
Data on where public high school students enroll in college are reported on by using data from the Minnesota Statewide Longitudinal Education Data System (SLEDS). Visit sleds.mn.gov.
