The graduation rate at Martha’s Vineyard High School remains above the state average, though the 2012 dropout rate increased over the previous year.

Just over 94 per cent of students graduated in 2012, according to data from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Out of 153 students in the class, 2.6 per cent dropped out. Just over one per cent of students received a GED, and two per cent did not yet graduate and were still in school. Statewide, the average graduation rate is 84.7 per cent; the dropout rate is 6.9 per cent.

Principal Steve Nixon told the regional high school district committee Monday that the Vineyard dropout rate would likely drop closer to one per cent later, because students who have left school to complete their GED or have left the school and are not yet enrolled in another district are counted in the drop out rate.

The 2011 high school graduation rate was 96.2 per cent, according to state data, and the dropout rate was 1.3 per cent.

In other business, the committee accepted more than $5,000 in mini grants from the Permanent Endowment for Martha’s Vineyard. Sixteen educational grants went to teachers, ranging from $316 for a Down Syndrome referencing library and resources at the Edgartown School to $200 for a garden box and garden tools at the Tisbury School.

The Martha’s Vineyard High School arts department received a $665 donation from John Athearn, gathered from the proceeds from his artwork.

The student spotlight for March was focused on senior Kevin Burchill, who served as junior class president. Kevin talked about involvement in model United Nations and peer outreach, serving as a youth counselor with EDGE Catholic ministry, his role as a foster brother and his internship at the Edgartown courthouse. He said that he plans to go to college and study international relations, and also plans to attend to law school.