MISHAWAKA — School officials are looking for solutions to the problem of high school dropouts. The graduation rate at Mishawaka High School was only 59 percent last year. That's the lowest in the area.

School officials say they're up to the challenge of improving those numbers.

The state's changed the way it measures graduation rates — they now track student progress individually, giving a more accurate picture of whether a student actually graduates in four years.

The numbers were a wake-up call for administrators and parents.

“It's a fine school,” said grandparent Ruth Werntz. “I can't understand why they want to drop out of this school or any other school.”

Mishawaka students have their own views on why so many of their peers are dropping out.

“A lot of people have problems with teachers and stuff like that and they don't put academics before other stuff,” said student Cody Oelinger.

Others had harsher words.

“They’re not coming to school,” said junior Justin Bourne. “They're not doing the work and the parents don't care.”

School Board President Larry Stillson says the board and administrators are working on solutions. They include re-organizing the freshman academy and identifying at-risk students sooner, before they drop out.

“We're going to be benefiting everybody,” Stillson explained. “This is not just an attempt to deal with a small group or an at-risk group; this is aimed at making the high school much stronger as a community.”

There's a success on the other side of the county. New Prairie Schools have a graduation rate of 95 percent, according to the state. The principal says the key is student involvement.

“We're involved with a lot of new programs,” said New Prairie High School Principal Clara Clark. “We're trying to make sure all of our students have a reason for attending high school and have a plan for after high school.”

Clark says making sure students feel engaged with school will go a long way toward keeping them in school.

Stillson agrees.

“We simply have to make better connections that we're making right now,” Stillson said. “And that's not just something we face in Mishawaka — this is a nationwide problem.”

Stillson says the school is making progress this year. Officials have also proposed changing some attendance policies and reducing the number of credits needed for graduation.

It may be too late for most of the changes to be implemented this year, but Stillson says they will be in the fall.