The City of Holyoke has a High School drop-out rate of 11.6 percent (as of 2006) compared to a 3.3 percent average state wide. In a recent article written by Robert Bardwell, in the Holyoke Plus edition of the Republican on January 16, Bardwell itemizes reasons why high school students quit early. One reason given is that there is not enough early measures taken to instill academic achievement at the middle school and elementary level. Bardwell points out that “strong elementary and middle schools that ensure academic success and a sense of purpose will provide students with skills to help navigate the demands and challenges of [higher education].”

Another chilling factor to be considered is the fallout of these drop-outs on the local economy, police force, and judicial system. Bardwell illustrates that dropouts are more likely to commit crimes, citing a national study that showed increasing the high school completion rate by just one percentage point reduced criminal justice system costs by $1.4 billion a year.

By extension of Bardwell’s argument, more high school drop outs in Holyoke, may have a commensurate effect of an increase in crime and the costs involved to uphold the law and maintain the peace.