ATTLEBORO - Too many Attleboro High School students are failing to graduate in four years, say school officials, who are pushing remedial programs to get failing teens back on track.

A recently released state report on high school graduation rates showed that only 71.3 percent of Attleboro High students graduated in four years in 2006, compared to a statewide average of 79.9 percent.

The state graduation rate calculates the number of entering freshman against the number who actually graduate within four years.

A letter from high school principal Donald Frederick and assistant principal Jeffrey Newman detailing the findings showed that Attleboro ranks 10th out of 12 area high schools. By comparison, North Attleboro had a graduation rate of 85.2 percent and Mansfield 93 percent. Taunton, however, graduated only 70.5 percent of entering freshmen.

Superintendent Pia Durkin called the rate at which entering students are graduating "not acceptable" and said a number of initiatives are underway to help students earn a diploma in the normal, four-year cycle. "A great deal of work needs to be done to help our students graduate in four years," Durkin said.

While 28.7 percent of freshman who entered AHS four years ago did not graduate in four years, the number of dropouts is actually far lower. About 50 AHS students who failed to graduate last year continued their education into a fifth year and are still hoping to win a diploma, Newman said.

In addition, other students who previously dropped out have returned to class and are working toward completion of their high school studies.

Part of the reason that so many Attleboro students are taking longer to graduate appears to be higher graduation standards, including a requirement that students successfully complete four years each of English, math, science and social studies as well as two years of physical education and complete an arts course requirement. AHS is in a minority of schools that require so many courses and credits, Newman said.

Ensuring that a higher percentage of students completes their coursework in four years is important not only because students' extended study is costly and delays students' future plans, Durkin said. The federal No Child Left Behind Act will require in the future that high schools meet minimum graduation rate standards, meaning Attleboro could be penalized if it does not meet a state benchmark.

Newman said the high school is currently implementing a number of initiatives to help students graduate on time:

A "credit recovery" program that permits students who narrowly failed a course to regain credits by completing an intensive, 30-hour course and taking a test. The program is supported by tuition paid by parents.

Commissioning a comprehensive study of guidance, support and special education services that may serve as a road map for improving administration and delivery of support services.

Enhancing an existing reading support system and creating a "student advisory" regimen in which adult staff members will meet regularly with small groups of students.

In addition, the high school is beginning to investigate the reintroduction of a grade nine "cluster model" that would provide teams of teachers to work with a common set of students as they make the transition from middle to high school. The school is also entertaining the possibility of additional training to help the staff deal with discipline problems that get in the way of academic performance.