Staying In School

Good reasons to stay in high school.

1. High school dropouts are more likely to be unemployed than high school graduates. The unemployment rate for high school graduates is 10% compared to 14.3% for high school dropouts.

2. High school graduates make an average of $8,000 a year more than high school dropouts.

3. Graduating from high school will affect how you live the rest of your life. It's about personal satisfaction and self esteem, being happy with your job, and a better quality of life.

4. Dropouts are more likely than high school graduates to be unemployed, in poor health, living in poverty, on public assistance and single parents with children.

5. Dropouts are more than eight times as likely to commit crimes and serve time in prison as high school graduates.

6. More and more jobs require at least a high school diploma.

If you're thinking of dropping out of high school, talk to trusted adults in your life. Make an appointment today with your guidance counselor. Or talk to a favorite teacher.

Here are some things to ask yourself and discuss with them:

• Why am I thinking about dropping out?

• Do I need assistance? Tutoring?

• What help is available to me so that I can graduate?

• What will I do if I drop out?

• What will I be doing five years from now if I drop out?

• How can I change things around and graduate from high school, or maybe even go to college?