Oregon High's Secret to Success

More American students graduate on time now than they did in nearly 40 years.  The nation has a graduation rate of 78 percent while Illinois has a rate of 82 percent.
Some Stateline schools also saw a jump in students getting their high school diploma.
Oregon High School in Ogle County attributed their recent 99 percent graduation rate to a shared community effort.
"From a district wide perspective, we make every decision with our vision and mission in mind.  So we truly try to decide what is truly best for the community and how we can best create citizens that can be productive in the real world," said Oregon High School principal P.J. Caposey.
Caposey said another program the school started 5 years ago also help more kids graduate.
"Hawks Take Flight" helps underperforming students in junior high transition into high school.
The program provides students with social and emotional support, study skills, mandatory tutoring and mentors.
School officials believe the 9th grade is the last best chance to graduate.
Caposey said since the program started 5 years ago they've seen more students leave with a high school diploma on time.