More Aboriginal students completed high school last year than ever before, building on more than ten years of steady improvement.

The overall Aboriginal student completion rate for public and independent schools combined in 2011-12 was 56.4 per cent, up from 53.7 per cent in 2010-11, and up from 50.4 per cent in 2009-10. During the past ten years, Aboriginal completion rates have increased by nearly 14 per cent.

Some districts are showing remarkable improvement. Aboriginal completion rates in the Comox Valley (SD71) increased by 18 per cent in one year, and over five years, the rate in the Boundary school district (SD51) has increased by more than 36 per cent.

To support Aboriginal student success, 53 school districts have five-year Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreements in place. These agreements bring together districts, local Aboriginal communities and the Ministry of Education to encourage Aboriginal academic achievement and bring Aboriginal culture and history into classrooms for the benefit of all students.

As well, last year the Ministry of Education created a new position, superintendent of Aboriginal Achievement, to maintain community partnerships, support the development of personalized learning opportunities, and further strengthen Aboriginal completion rates.