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District touts growth in concurrent enrollment, internships and biliteracy in annual success-ready graduates report
Summary
District staff presented an annual report highlighting increases in college classes taken by high school students, growth in internships and a rise in biliteracy languages and AP scholars; staff said the district already meets most state 'merit and distinction' measures and plans to add apprenticeships.
Bentonville School District staff presented the annual Success Ready Graduates report showing expanded opportunities for high school students in concurrent college classes, internships, career-technical programs and world-language proficiency.
"In the fall, we had 1,300 students taking 2,200 college classes," Dr. Morrow told the board in the presentation on the measures that feed into the state's new accountability "merit and distinction" cells. "That's 22% of all high school students, 1 out of 5, taking 2,200 college classes."
The district reported that 21% of students participated in internships this year (about 1,285 students) and that enrollment in career-technical programs such as welding, diesel mechanics and CNA training (NWTI enrollment) has remained at about 60 students or more over the last three years. Staff credited transportation support for enabling student access to off-site technical campuses.
On biliteracy, the district reported 217 students earned the Seal of Biliteracy in 15 languages in 2025 — a marked increase in the number of languages recognized. Staff said students are achieving AP Scholar distinctions at rising rates and that 14 students completed an associate degree before finishing high school this year, a result the district estimated saved roughly $540,000 in tuition costs ("about $40,000 in savings per student").
Dr. Morrow said the district already performs 11 of 13 state-defined merit and distinction measures and expects to add apprenticeships next year (the state reported only two students in apprenticeships statewide when the category rolled out in January).
Board members responded positively to the presentation and congratulated staff. The report was for information; no board action was required.
