NORTON - Norton High School's dropout rate is about at the state average, and school officials are working on keeping more kids in school.

Last year, 28 Norton High students dropped out, 3.3 percent of the 700-member student body, according to Principal Raymond Dewar.

"The fact that we're about at the state average is OK. Before, we were higher than that," he said.

School committee member Andrew Mackie raised concerns about dropouts Monday night, during a presentation by the Norton High guidance and counseling department.

Counselors told the school board that their department's focus is moving away from tradition, which stresses remediation and intervention. They're moving toward the state model, which tries to help all students develop modern skills. "Without a high school diploma, there's very little chance these kids will have a successful future," Mackie said.

"I know a couple of kids who have dropped out because the system failed them."

Dewar said the school calls the homes of absent students every day.

School officials also are monitoring tardiness.

"The dropout rate is not a high school problem. It's a Norton problem," Dewar said.

However, school officials also have "welcomed a lot of kids back," Dewar said. "We've changed a lot of kids' minds about dropping out," he said.

Guidance counselor Donald Rita said Norton is among the many Bay State schools beginning to switch to the new model.

As part of Norton's guidance curriculum, counselors hold a course selection assembly with eighth graders to "explain exactly what is expected" at Norton High, Rita said.

Counselors also work with freshmen in small groups on the transition from middle to high school.

Also, freshmen, sophomores and juniors participate in a college awareness week, Rita said. Guidance counselor Lynn Ito said the focus of help for juniors and seniors is their post-secondary education.

MICHAEL GELBWASSER covers Norton for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at 508-236-0439 or at mgelbwasser@thesunchronicle.com.