OTTUMWA, IOWA -- The halls of the Ottumwa High School were buzzing Wednesday as incoming freshman, and new students to the district, were registering for classes.

The enrollment at Ottumwa High School will be similar to last year’s enrollment, around 1,400 students.

For high school Principal Mark Hanson, another school year means an entire new class of freshman; and he and his staff have been busy over the summer preparing so that they will feel as welcome as possible.

“We’re just very excited to have all of the freshman here today. The long line by my office is a great sign for us, and not just the students are here, but the parents are here signing their sons and daughters up. We want to make it an enjoyable experience for them and as positive as possible. Our number one goal is to put all students in a position to succeed when they leave high school,” said Principal Hanson.

Before school let out for the summer, administrators at Ottumwa High School invited 8^th graders from Evans Middle School to come to the facility, learn about their new school and meet some of the teachers and administrators that would be guiding them for the next four years. Its programs like that, that help ease the transition.

Principal Hanson and his staff have been working hard for sometime now to improve the graduation rate at Ottumwa High School. The new programs seem to be paying off. The graduation rate has risen, but Principal Hanson wants a 100% graduation rate.

“Several of the things that we have in place now are designed to ease the transition from 8^th grade to 9^th grade. We have a system in place where 9^th graders are monitored closely throughout the year, so we can see if any kid is starting to fall through the cracks. Success in the 9^th grade is a huge key for us, and key for our students if we really expect them to go on and graduate on-time,” said Principal Hanson.

The high school will be having a freshman parent night on Wednesday, August 17^th at 6 p.m. in the auditorium. The school is asking that all parents of freshman and parents of new upperclassmen to attend.

If you would like more information on the event, or need to register a student for the upcoming school year, feel free to contact Ottumwa High School at (641) 683-4444.