How to Prevent Students From Dropping Out

According to a recent survey by America's Promise Alliance of high school students who left before graduating, failing too many classes was the answer given by nearly 28 percent of all survey responders. Falling behind in classes can feel demoralizing and make students question the point of school. According to Jason Patel, “many students lack the confidence or study skills to keep up with the work in school.”

He continues, “once they encounter a battery of exams that they don't know how to study for, their grades fall. When grades fall, students find themselves in a hole that is hard to climb out of.”

• Find after-school tutoring through your school or local library.
• Look into Response to Intervention programs.
• Find a quiet place to do homework, free from distractions.
• Talk to your guidance counselor.
• Seek alternative school programs.
• Find mentorship programs.
• Become involved in extracurricular activities that help students feel more engaged.

• Form/join a study group.
• Visit the tutoring center.
• Talk to your academic advisor about possibly withdrawing from a class or taking an incomplete to avoid failing and/or ending up on academic probation.
• Explore career options and be sure you're in the program and subject area that you really want to be in.

Around 22 percent of young adults who drop out of school listed becoming a caregiver as the reason. Whether students are caring for other family members or their own children, the emotional, physical and financial strains of caregiving can make completing school difficult.

• Look for help and resources through the American Association of Caregiving Youth.
• Check with your school, library and recreation center for resources and child care available to teen parents
• Ask another family member to provide care during school.
• Talk to your guidance counselor for emotional support and help finding resources to help you.

• Consider attending online for a more flexible schedule.
• Ask your college about daycare options and resources for student parents.
• Read more about resources and scholarships available to you on our guide on help for single parents in school.

Though the Department of Health and Human Services found that substance abuse among high school students has fallen in recent years, both these learners and college students can face significant issues when it comes to substance abuse. In college, as Jason Patel notes, the freedom for degree seekers to make their own decisions can lead to poor choices.

“For the most part, college students become responsible for themselves,” he says. “When students don't know how to act without supervision, they'll unintentionally act recklessly.” Once that happens, he notes, more problems arise. “Reckless behavior leads to alcohol and drug abuse, which leads to missed readings and homework, which leads to missed exams, poor study habits and, ultimately, a bad college experience that forces students out of school.”

• Join or create a D.A.R.E. program at school.
• Talk to your parents about getting help.
• If substance abuse by a family member affects you, find an Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous teen meeting for support.

• Check out some of these podcasts from Campus Drug Prevention.
• Attend an Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous meeting.
• Reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Helpline.

For low-income students and those struggling with homelessness, fulfilling basic needs often comes before homework and getting an education. In both high school and college, many students struggle with purchasing school supplies, affording healthy food and getting the resources and support they need to thrive.

• Talk with your school guidance counselor about resources available to students at your school, such as the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program.
• Find resources in your area that provide students with school supplies, such as the Kids in Need Foundation or Kits for Kidz.

• Talk to the financial aid office about alternative funding options.
• Apply for more scholarships, especially those outside your school.
• Consider moving to a public school or community college in your home state.
• Find a job that fits with your class schedule (e.g. work study, babysitting, pet care).
• Research schools with free tuition
• Take a gap year rather than dropping out altogether, in order to get your finances in order.
• Start a budget and seek money-management help.
• Check out our guide on resources for low-income college students for more help.

According to a study by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately 20 percent of students aged 13 to 18 have mental health conditions, while the American Psychological Association found that college students also face similar concerns. An APA study found that 41.6 percent of postsecondary learners deal with anxiety, while depression (36.4 percent) and relational issues (35.8 percent) are also active concerns.

• Talk to your school psychologist or social worker.
• Join a sports team — exercise has been shown to improve mental health.
• Ask your parents for help identifying what's troubling you and seek professional help.

• Start or join a mental health awareness student organization.
• Join an intramural team or take up yoga.
• Get to know the college's counseling staff.
• Talk to your doctor about possible treatment plans.

Rather than waiting until it happens, many strategies exist that parents can use to help their children avoid dropping out.

• Communicate.

  “Always keep an open line of communication with your child,” encourages Patel. “They are bound to hide things from you, but let them know that you'll always have their back if things go wrong. The worst thing you can do is become unapproachable, which leaves your child on an island.”

• Talk to them about career realities.

  Talk to your children about your own career path and the paths of others. Help them see the differences between gaining a high school diploma/college degree and how many more doors open for them at each level. When talking about what they want to do with their professional lives, teach them how to find out what educational level is required for interesting jobs.

• Don't pressure them to do too much.

  While it's good for parents to encourage and champion their children's abilities, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. If your child seems stressed by too many extracurriculars and expectations, encourage them to prioritize their education and cut back on things causing them stress — at least for a while.

• Stay in touch with the school.

  Teachers get to see students in the academic environment more than parents do, so if you're concerned that your high schooler is considering dropping out, it might be a good idea to contact the teacher or principal to discuss your concerns and brainstorm solutions.

• Be supportive and involved.

  Whether your student finds him/herself struggling with schoolwork, friends, mental health or figuring out what to do in life, find ways to support him or her. Great examples of meaningful interventions include tutors, mentors, psychologists/counselors or career shadowing. Simple acts also make a difference: If your student seems stressed after school one day, ask if he/she wants to go on a walk or go get a meal and chat.

• Encourage a break, rather than quitting.

  New college students often find the transition from high school to be harder than expected. Remind your student to give it another semester, just another 15 weeks, and perhaps suggest taking fewer credits next semester, if he or she is feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes that can make all the difference.

• Consider a different school.

  Whether your student is in high school or college, options exist for other schools that may be a better fit, whether online or on campus. Explore some of the alternatives that may be available, whether a charter or vocational high school, a community college, an online program or something else.

• Consider a gap year.

  Many programs exist for students looking to take that year between high school and college, or even during college, off from school. These include community service, cultural immersion or tutoring at-risk youth. Or students can simply take a year to travel or work. Families might consider working with students to create a starting and ending point for this gap year to address any issues the student may be wrestling with, such as financial difficulties or a desire to pursue a different field of study.

There are a number of steps high schools can take and programs they can create to help provide students a better chance of staying in school. Examples include:

• Adopt early-intervention strategies.

  By identifying issues related to poor attendance, boredom, family obligations or challenging issues early in a child's educational career, schools have a better chance of changing behaviors and attitudes, creating structure and implementing individualized learning options to help students stay focused on the goal of graduating.

• Develop mentoring/tutoring programs.

  Programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America have proven effective when it comes to helping high-risk students stay the course and graduate. Schools should consider inviting volunteers from these organizations to engage with students and provide a steady adult presence to encourage them.

• Create out-of-school programs.

  In addition to losing some of their new skills and knowledge over the summer break, many students face life transitions during these months that may contribute to their decision to drop out. By staying engaged with learners through summer-enrichment or reading-incentive programs, schools have a better sense of what complications may be occurring in students' lives.

• Be honest with students.

  The sad reality is that students who don't finish high school earn $9,200 less per year than their graduated peers. Additionally, 75 percent of inmates in state prisons didn't finish high school, and the death rate for those with fewer than 12 years of education is 2.5 times higher than it is for those with 13 or more years of education. It's worth it to stay in school for myriad reasons.

• Introduce classroom coaches.

  A decade ago, the Austin Independent School District in Texas created a program to build and strengthen classroom communities by recruiting volunteers to provide career coaching, college advisement, life coaching and one-to-one relationships with students and adults. This model has proven successful and now utilizes the help of hundreds of volunteers each year to support students.

Only about 6 out of 10 students graduate from a college or university within six years of matriculation, but there are numerous steps these institutions can take to encourage and support students who want to graduate.

• Lower costs.

  A College Board study found that the cost of private and public institutions continues to rise steadily while available financial aid fails to keep up with the increases. “The price of college needs to lower,” notes Patel. “Colleges know that the loans students take out are guaranteed by the government, so they raise their tuitions with the expectation that the debt will be paid one way or another. For many families, colleges are raising the price for achieving the American Dream.”

  Colleges must find ways to lessen the financial burden on students, either through innovative distance-education programs, in-state tuition programs for nonresidents or other alternatives.

• Teach them how to study.

  According to EAB, approximately 66 percent of learners who leave school without a degree do so because of academic reasons. It's common to feel overwhelmed when making the transition from high school to college, yet approximately 33 percent of these students stop attending before sophomore year. Colleges must provide introductory classes to help students learn how to study and prepare for the rigors of college.

• Support their mental health.

  With student mental health issues on the rise across all colleges, it is vitally important for colleges to step up their services. “Schools have to offer more mental health solutions and destigmatize mental health issues,” says Patel. “This will be a slow process.”

  In addition to providing counselors and exercise facilities, some colleges are developing peer-support programs, providing therapy dogs during stressful times and connecting students with Therapy Assistance Online programs.

• Provide family support mechanisms.

  Rather than letting students with extenuating family circumstances slip away, colleges must find ways to support them. Some of the ways to do this include providing daycare, expectant-parent classes, family housing, spaces for breastfeeding or free children's meals with the use of student meal plans.

• Help students make informed decisions.

  At the end of the day, some students just aren't a good fit for specific colleges and vice versa. If these institutions adequately convey the experience students can expect to have upon enrollment, the chances of the students becoming displeased and eventually dropping out are lessened.

In addition to the list of actionable steps students can take for the specific issues reviewed in the previous section, here are some general tips to help students stay the course and graduate.

• Ask for help.

  At both the high school and college level, students shouldn't be afraid to ask for help if they need it. Regardless of the obstacle at hand, reach out to your parents, a favorite teacher or anyone else in your life whom you trust, and let that person know what's going on. It may feel stressful at first, but chances are that person has an idea for how to help you.

• Set study goals.

  “Make a study schedule and stick to it,” encourages Patel. “Discipline, not intelligence, is the key to college success, and hard work beats talent when talent refuses to work hard.” Not sure how to go about setting up these goals? “Form study groups and make study guides and flash cards. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals,” says Patel. “It's effort, not IQ, that counts.”

• Be mindful about nutrition.

  “A good diet will keep your energy levels high and your mood sustained,” notes Patel. Research shows that diets high in trans fats and saturated fats can affect learning and memory in a negative way, while proper nutrition can improve cognition, concentration and energy levels. Talk to your cafeteria about healthy eating options if you aren't sure which foods to eat.

Rather than waiting until it happens, many strategies exist that parents can use to help their children avoid dropping out.

• Communicate.

  “Always keep an open line of communication with your child,” encourages Patel. “They are bound to hide things from you, but let them know that you'll always have their back if things go wrong. The worst thing you can do is become unapproachable, which leaves your child on an island.”

• Talk to them about career realities.

  Talk to your children about your own career path and the paths of others. Help them see the differences between gaining a high school diploma/college degree and how many more doors open for them at each level. When talking about what they want to do with their professional lives, teach them how to find out what educational level is required for interesting jobs.

• Don't pressure them to do too much.

  While it's good for parents to encourage and champion their children's abilities, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. If your child seems stressed by too many extracurriculars and expectations, encourage them to prioritize their education and cut back on things causing them stress — at least for a while.

• Stay in touch with the school.

  Teachers get to see students in the academic environment more than parents do, so if you're concerned that your high schooler is considering dropping out, it might be a good idea to contact the teacher or principal to discuss your concerns and brainstorm solutions.

• Be supportive and involved.

  Whether your student finds him/herself struggling with schoolwork, friends, mental health or figuring out what to do in life, find ways to support him or her. Great examples of meaningful interventions include tutors, mentors, psychologists/counselors or career shadowing. Simple acts also make a difference: If your student seems stressed after school one day, ask if he/she wants to go on a walk or go get a meal and chat.

• Encourage a break, rather than quitting.

  New college students often find the transition from high school to be harder than expected. Remind your student to give it another semester, just another 15 weeks, and perhaps suggest taking fewer credits next semester, if he or she is feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes that can make all the difference.

• Consider a different school.

  Whether your student is in high school or college, options exist for other schools that may be a better fit, whether online or on campus. Explore some of the alternatives that may be available, whether a charter or vocational high school, a community college, an online program or something else.

• Consider a gap year.

  Many programs exist for students looking to take that year between high school and college, or even during college, off from school. These include community service, cultural immersion or tutoring at-risk youth. Or students can simply take a year to travel or work. Families might consider working with students to create a starting and ending point for this gap year to address any issues the student may be wrestling with, such as financial difficulties or a desire to pursue a different field of study.

There are a number of steps high schools can take and programs they can create to help provide students a better chance of staying in school. Examples include:

• Adopt early-intervention strategies.

  By identifying issues related to poor attendance, boredom, family obligations or challenging issues early in a child's educational career, schools have a better chance of changing behaviors and attitudes, creating structure and implementing individualized learning options to help students stay focused on the goal of graduating.

• Develop mentoring/tutoring programs.

  Programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America have proven effective when it comes to helping high-risk students stay the course and graduate. Schools should consider inviting volunteers from these organizations to engage with students and provide a steady adult presence to encourage them.

• Create out-of-school programs.

  In addition to losing some of their new skills and knowledge over the summer break, many students face life transitions during these months that may contribute to their decision to drop out. By staying engaged with learners through summer-enrichment or reading-incentive programs, schools have a better sense of what complications may be occurring in students' lives.

• Be honest with students.

  The sad reality is that students who don't finish high school earn $9,200 less per year than their graduated peers. Additionally, 75 percent of inmates in state prisons didn't finish high school, and the death rate for those with fewer than 12 years of education is 2.5 times higher than it is for those with 13 or more years of education. It's worth it to stay in school for myriad reasons.

• Introduce classroom coaches.

  A decade ago, the Austin Independent School District in Texas created a program to build and strengthen classroom communities by recruiting volunteers to provide career coaching, college advisement, life coaching and one-to-one relationships with students and adults. This model has proven successful and now utilizes the help of hundreds of volunteers each year to support students.

Only about 6 out of 10 students graduate from a college or university within six years of matriculation, but there are numerous steps these institutions can take to encourage and support students who want to graduate.

• Lower costs.

  A College Board study found that the cost of private and public institutions continues to rise steadily while available financial aid fails to keep up with the increases. “The price of college needs to lower,” notes Patel. “Colleges know that the loans students take out are guaranteed by the government, so they raise their tuitions with the expectation that the debt will be paid one way or another. For many families, colleges are raising the price for achieving the American Dream.”

  Colleges must find ways to lessen the financial burden on students, either through innovative distance-education programs, in-state tuition programs for nonresidents or other alternatives.

• Teach them how to study.

  According to EAB, approximately 66 percent of learners who leave school without a degree do so because of academic reasons. It's common to feel overwhelmed when making the transition from high school to college, yet approximately 33 percent of these students stop attending before sophomore year. Colleges must provide introductory classes to help students learn how to study and prepare for the rigors of college.

• Support their mental health.

  With student mental health issues on the rise across all colleges, it is vitally important for colleges to step up their services. “Schools have to offer more mental health solutions and destigmatize mental health issues,” says Patel. “This will be a slow process.”

  In addition to providing counselors and exercise facilities, some colleges are developing peer-support programs, providing therapy dogs during stressful times and connecting students with Therapy Assistance Online programs.

• Provide family support mechanisms.

  Rather than letting students with extenuating family circumstances slip away, colleges must find ways to support them. Some of the ways to do this include providing daycare, expectant-parent classes, family housing, spaces for breastfeeding or free children's meals with the use of student meal plans.

• Help students make informed decisions.

  At the end of the day, some students just aren't a good fit for specific colleges and vice versa. If these institutions adequately convey the experience students can expect to have upon enrollment, the chances of the students becoming displeased and eventually dropping out are lessened.

In addition to the list of actionable steps students can take for the specific issues reviewed in the previous section, here are some general tips to help students stay the course and graduate.

• Ask for help.

  At both the high school and college level, students shouldn't be afraid to ask for help if they need it. Regardless of the obstacle at hand, reach out to your parents, a favorite teacher or anyone else in your life whom you trust, and let that person know what's going on. It may feel stressful at first, but chances are that person has an idea for how to help you.

• Set study goals.

  “Make a study schedule and stick to it,” encourages Patel. “Discipline, not intelligence, is the key to college success, and hard work beats talent when talent refuses to work hard.” Not sure how to go about setting up these goals? “Form study groups and make study guides and flash cards. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals,” says Patel. “It's effort, not IQ, that counts.”

• Be mindful about nutrition.

  “A good diet will keep your energy levels high and your mood sustained,” notes Patel. Research shows that diets high in trans fats and saturated fats can affect learning and memory in a negative way, while proper nutrition can improve cognition, concentration and energy levels. Talk to your cafeteria about healthy eating options if you aren't sure which foods to eat.

Only about 6 out of 10 students graduate from a college or university within six years of matriculation, but there are numerous steps these institutions can take to encourage and support students who want to graduate.

• Lower costs.

  A College Board study found that the cost of private and public institutions continues to rise steadily while available financial aid fails to keep up with the increases. “The price of college needs to lower,” notes Patel. “Colleges know that the loans students take out are guaranteed by the government, so they raise their tuitions with the expectation that the debt will be paid one way or another. For many families, colleges are raising the price for achieving the American Dream.”

  Colleges must find ways to lessen the financial burden on students, either through innovative distance-education programs, in-state tuition programs for nonresidents or other alternatives.

• Teach them how to study.

  According to EAB, approximately 66 percent of learners who leave school without a degree do so because of academic reasons. It's common to feel overwhelmed when making the transition from high school to college, yet approximately 33 percent of these students stop attending before sophomore year. Colleges must provide introductory classes to help students learn how to study and prepare for the rigors of college.

• Support their mental health.

  With student mental health issues on the rise across all colleges, it is vitally important for colleges to step up their services. “Schools have to offer more mental health solutions and destigmatize mental health issues,” says Patel. “This will be a slow process.”

  In addition to providing counselors and exercise facilities, some colleges are developing peer-support programs, providing therapy dogs during stressful times and connecting students with Therapy Assistance Online programs.

• Provide family support mechanisms.

  Rather than letting students with extenuating family circumstances slip away, colleges must find ways to support them. Some of the ways to do this include providing daycare, expectant-parent classes, family housing, spaces for breastfeeding or free children's meals with the use of student meal plans.

• Help students make informed decisions.

  At the end of the day, some students just aren't a good fit for specific colleges and vice versa. If these institutions adequately convey the experience students can expect to have upon enrollment, the chances of the students becoming displeased and eventually dropping out are lessened.

In addition to the list of actionable steps students can take for the specific issues reviewed in the previous section, here are some general tips to help students stay the course and graduate.

• Ask for help.

  At both the high school and college level, students shouldn't be afraid to ask for help if they need it. Regardless of the obstacle at hand, reach out to your parents, a favorite teacher or anyone else in your life whom you trust, and let that person know what's going on. It may feel stressful at first, but chances are that person has an idea for how to help you.

• Set study goals.

  “Make a study schedule and stick to it,” encourages Patel. “Discipline, not intelligence, is the key to college success, and hard work beats talent when talent refuses to work hard.” Not sure how to go about setting up these goals? “Form study groups and make study guides and flash cards. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals,” says Patel. “It's effort, not IQ, that counts.”

• Be mindful about nutrition.

  “A good diet will keep your energy levels high and your mood sustained,” notes Patel. Research shows that diets high in trans fats and saturated fats can affect learning and memory in a negative way, while proper nutrition can improve cognition, concentration and energy levels. Talk to your cafeteria about healthy eating options if you aren't sure which foods to eat.