The Wright City R-III School District now has a new option when making certain its students don’t enter the workforce unqualified.The Missouri Options program has been introduced at Wright City High School, giving students the option to earn their GED, or high school equivalency, while still receiving a diploma. Superintendent Dr. David Buck says the initiative is for a unique group of students who are at risk of not graduating.“It’s very difficult to test the success of the program now,” said Buck. “The pass rate isn’t exceptional, and students would still be considered a dropout.”The program would require students to make a commitment to attend school for three hours, before then going to a job. Students would work with staff to help pass the GED and would still be able to receive a diploma.“In the past, if a kid was not going to get a diploma and instead going for a GED, they would have to travel to Wentz­ville,” said Buck.In a given year, R-II typically has about half a dozen students who would drop out before graduating. Missouri Options provides one more line of defense in securing their future. Last year R-II graduated 92 percent of the senior class.“If school isn’t their thing, and they’re not looking to go the traditional route of college, they could use this program,” said Buck. “It helps kids become employable in a different way.”The district has hired Warrenton graduate Ryan Raterman to oversee the program, which is part time, along with other tasks. Raterman has worked as a coach for the district in the past.“When he was responsible for in-school suspension kids, they related to him very well, and he had good rapport with kids,” said Buck. “He helped a lot if they were in there for more than one day of course work. I think that background will aid him well in this position.”Wright City R-II School District