In 2011, the graduation rate was 92%. In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Ringgold School District's rate was 91% for 2010. ;Former calculation graduation rate:
2010 - 87%
2009 - 95%
2008 - 92%
2007 - 92%
Academic achievement
In 2011, Ringgold Senior High School achieved AYP status. In 2010 and 2009, the senior high school was in School Improvement II due to chronically low academic achievement of its students. In 2010 the school ranked 76th. In 2009, Ringgold High School ranked 73rd out of 123 western Pennsylvania high schools for academic achievement based on three years of the PSSAs on: reading, writing, math and one year of science. ;PSSA Results ;11th Grade Reading
2011 - 82% on grade level,. State - 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2010 - 78%. State - 66%
2009 - 68%, State - 65%
2008 - 66%, State - 64%
2007 - 62%, State - 65%
;11th Grade Math:
2011 - 80%, on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2010 - 69%,. State - 59%
2009 - 54%, State - 56%
2008 - 65%, State - 56%
2007 - 35%, State - 53%
;11th Grade Science:
2011 - 38% on grade level. State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2010 - 42%. State - 39%
2009 - 38%, State - 40%
2008 - 35%, State - 39%
College remediation
According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 50% of Ringgold School District graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education or community colleges. Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.
Dual enrollment
The high school offers a Dual Enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school, including the graduation ceremony. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions. For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $12,529 for the program.
Challenge Program
The Challenge Program, Inc. offers $250.00 cash incentives to Ringgold High School sophomores, juniors, and seniors who excel in the categories of: Academic Improvement, Attendance, Community Service and Academic Excellence. The program partners with businesses to motivate students both in and out of the classroom by encouraging good habits in students that will last throughout their education and into their future careers. For the 2010–2011 school year, the top 10% of students in each of the categories will be eligible to win $250.00. The program is sponsored by the Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce at Ringgold School District.
Graduation requirements
The Ringgold School Board has determined that a students must earn 23 credits to graduate including: English 4 credits, Math 3 credits, Science 3 credits, Social Studies 3 credits, Physical Education 1.75 credits, Health 0.5 credits, Arts/Humanities 2 credits, Graduation Projects.75 credits and 6 credits in Electives. Students must also score at the proficient or advanced level on all of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests taken their junior year or one of the districts four alternative options. By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district. By Pennsylvania State School Board regulations, beginning with the graduating class in 2016, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade.
Extracurriculars
The district offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility to participate is determined by school board policy. By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.
