Iowa’s high school graduation rate has increased for the fifth year in a row while dropout rates edged up for the first time since the 2009-10 school year, according to figures released by the Iowa Department of Education.

State data show 91.3 percent of students in Iowa’s Class of 2016 graduated within four years, up from 90.8 percent for the Class of 2015. Iowa’s annual dropout rate was 2.8 percent in the 2015-16 school year, up from 2.5 percent in the 2014-15 school year. The state’s 2015-16 dropout rate represents 4,154 students in grades 9-12.

“Graduation is a critical milestone in every student’s path to success,” Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise said. “While we’re proud that Iowa continues to lead nationally in high school graduation rates, we have work to do. We must ensure all Iowa high school students not only graduate, but do so with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in postsecondary education and training.”

Forest City 's graduation rates were 96.63 in 2016 and 94.4 in 2015.

Six Forest City students will be able to experience life abroad this summer! This is made possible by funding support from our local AFS chapter. 

Five students will be taking part in a program called Global Prep and one student will be doing a AFS Global Language Study program in Argentina.

Global Prep offers two-four week experiences abroad during the summer. This year, there are 18 countries to choose from. Any student can apply to the program, and beginning last year, our local AFS chapter offered scholarships to fund four Forest City students' trip fees.

Interested Forest City students were asked to submit an application and an essay. The committee selected six students this year for these amazing opportunities: 

• Calvin Aberg will be visiting Egypt to study about the Islam culture. 
• Drake Bang will travel to Nepal to volunteer and learn about the Nepali culture. 
• Tyler Clouse will be doing environmental and conservation work in the Seychelles Islands. 
• Ellie Reece will travel to Columbia to immerse in Latin culture. 
• Olivia Sarasio-Meyer will study language and tour Costa Rica.
• Sevanah Thomas will participate in the Argentina language study Program.

Local AFS Chapter Coordinator Eunice Clouse said, "We appreciate the interest and wish we could send all students who are interested in studying abroad. We hope our funding can continue and we can send more students each year." 

She added that she would love to hear from any student who has an interest in studying abroad. The local AFS chapter is also looking for host families for the 2017-2018 school year. The family gets to select a student who matches interests of the family as well as Forest City Schools.  She can be contacted at 641-585-4155 or afsmomec@wctatel.net.

By: Mr. Baker 

Trenton Teske arrived in Forest City last August to take on the position of MS/HS Choir Director.  Mr. Teske is a 2012 graduate of BCLUW (towns included: Beaman, Conrad, Liscomb, Union, & Whitten) High School. After high school, he attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.  As a Knight, Mr. Teske was a member of the Wartburg Choir, Ritterchor (German for Knight Choir), served as a Student Ambassador, and was the captain of his intramural basketball team (which finished as runner up in 2016).

Mr. Teske’s favorite memory during his first year at FCHS is participating in the annual Battle of the Classes event with the students, faculty, and staff.  When not working directly with students, Mr. Teske enjoys watching or attending sporting events, card games, movies, and family & friends.  Mr. Teske’s family includes two brothers. Tanner a sophomore at Central College and Treye a freshman at BCLUW. His mom, Cari, is a Technology Integrationist for AEA 267, and his dad, Steve, is a diesel mechanic and farmer.

Please welcome Mr. Teske to FCHS and to the community of Forest City.