Work with middle schools in the area to create high school transition programs. Have students create a 10 year plan while working with teachers and parents. Ask students to create a guided plan that takes them through high school, their education after high school and into the workforce. Students with a firm plan that are guided by parents and teachers are less likely to drop out.
Evaluate students entering high school. Test students to make sure that their academic skills are such that they're prepared to face the rigors of high school. In cities that have the highest number of high school dropouts, more than a third of the freshman students have to repeat their first year of high school. Fewer than 15 percent of those students will eventually graduate.
Create an academic support program for students that the evaluation tools flag as not being ready for the normal grade 9 classwork. Provide support to them early so they are not held back, as this greatly increases the risk of dropping out.
Make teachers available to provide extra help for students. Also, have teachers spend extra time after school with the students. Tell the students that you know they can perform at a high level and that the resources are there to help them achieve that level.
Provide after school activities for students right after they enroll in high school. At risk students benefit the most from after school activities, so if students get involved in sports or other extra-curricular activities early, it helps get them through freshman year and into the higher grades.