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A scene from Ozark's Class of 2019 graduation ceremony on May 17.(Photo: Jason Connel/Special to the News-Leader)

For the Class of 2019, two area districts Sparta and Walnut Grove reported a 100 percent graduation rate, meaning all their seniors graduated on time.

They are not the norm.

The overwhelming majority of Missouri districts fall short of that perfect score each year, as students drop out or fall behind and require additional time to finish high school. The state's four-year rate hovers at or just below 88 percent.

Springfield's graduation rate rebounded this year to 88.5 percent, higher than many of the large urban districts in the state. For example, Kansas City reported a rate of 71.6 percent, followed closely by St. Louis at 72.7 percent.

Each year, graduation rates are closely tracked and reported publicly but the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education calculates and reports the rate for students who graduate in four years, five years, six years and seven years.

Education: Missouri removes scores from state's 2019 school, district report cards

Chris Neale, assistant commissioner of DESE, said "on time" is the preference, but the overarching priority is to get across the finish line.

"The priority of the state is to ensure that students are given time to be well prepared and graduate with what they need rather than just rush them through in four years," Neale said. "We provide those extended year cohort graduation rates to ensure we haven't had a disincentive created."

Top school officials from Springfield, Nixa, Ozark, Republic and Willard recently told the News-Leader they don't give up on students.

Craig Carson, assistant superintendent of learning, Ozark school district(Photo: File photo)

"If you go to each our offices at the high schools, we have names for each kid who didn't make it," said Craig Carson, assistant superintendent of learning in Ozark. "And if they are not in that four-year, by God, we are going to get them by year five cohort or year six cohort."

The first step is to identify and track students at risk for dropping out, which include poor reading and math skills, not turning in assignments, failing courses, exhibiting discipline problems, and showing up irregularly.

More: How changes to the ACT may help students with college admission, scholarships

A range of interventions is offered, based on the student and situation, to address the risk factors.

They provide mentors and tutors,credit recovery courses, alternative programs, mental health counseling, and summer and online learning options.

Shane Dublin(Photo: Submitted)

Shane Dublin, executive director of secondary learning in Springfield, said efforts start with knowing "where students are at" and quickly identifying when they start to veer off the path.

"Weknow every week if kids are on track or if they need support," he said.

He said each high school has a team working to keep students on track and providing a menu of options when they fall behind.

"Every kid has a story,' he said. "We are almost tailoring their approach to graduation."

The Springfield district pays extra attention to the transitional years of sixth grade and ninth grade, as students move into middle and high school.

"That is where we need to catch them and make sure they engage," he said.

"All the statistics show if you get behind as a freshman, you're less likely to graduate."

Students are encouraged to join clubs, play sports, explore careers, and connect with mentors in each building.

Related: SPS gains in reading, attendance and graduation rates math scores remain low

Dublin said while the traditional path of accumulating 25 high school credits works for most, others need alternative programs or settings.

Springfield partnered with Ozarks Technical Community College to create the Middle College program for juniors and seniors who want to complete high school while taking college classes and gaining career training on theOTC campus. The program now also serves area high school students.

Several districts, including Springfield, offer alternative high school programs.

Josh Chastain, executive director of curriculum, instruction and assessment for Nixa Public Schools(Photo: File photo)

Josh Chastain, executive director of curriculum, instruction and assessment in Nixa, saidmore than 440 students have finished school in the past 20 years through the SCORE program an acronym forSecond Chance of Receiving an Education.

"Having that available allows us to be able to put students in a different setting to support what they need, whether it's a small class size or more individual attention with teachers," he said. "That has really helped us."

Chastain said the students in danger of dropping out may not be academically deficient or a discipline problem;they may have personal issues.

"We know that we can support them in those areas," he said. "That is why we have counselors to be there to keep their hand on the pulse of what is going on with students, whether it's attendance, grades, behavior."

Matt Pearce, assistant superintendent, Republic school district(Photo: File photo)

Matt Pearce, assistant superintendent of Republic, said the district has a system that flags students with multiple indicators, including failing grades, absences and suspensions.

"That is what our counselors and our student intervention teams will use to identify students who are really in danger of not completing," he said. "With the kid that is ready to walk out the door, that is a conversation with the counselor, maybe their favorite teacher and a parent to encourage them to stay and make sure they know we want them."

Springfield, the largest district in the state, compares its graduation rate annually against its own goals as well as "benchmark" districts, in the region and the large urban districts across the state.

The four-year graduation rates for Springfield's urban benchmarks include:

The four-year graduation rates for Springfield's area benchmarks include:

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Graduation rates: How area districts are getting students to cross the finish line - News-Leader