School Retention Rate Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the school retention rate calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the School Retention Rate Calculator

Formulas Used

Retention Rate

retention_rate = returning_students / eligible_to_return * 100

Students Lost to Attrition

attrition_count = eligible_to_return - returning_students

Attrition Rate

attrition_rate = (1 - returning_students / eligible_to_return) * 100

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
start_enrollmentStart of Year Enrollment500
returning_studentsReturning Students Next Year460
graduatesGraduates (expected departure)25
eligible_to_returnDerived value= start_enrollment - graduatescalculated

How It Works

How School Retention Rate is Calculated

Retention rate measures the proportion of non-graduating students who return the following year.

Formula

Retention Rate = Returning Students / (Start Enrollment - Graduates) x 100

Attrition Rate = 1 - Retention Rate

High retention (above 90%) indicates student and family satisfaction. Attrition drives enrollment decline and budget instability.

Worked Example

500 students at start, 25 graduates, 460 return next year.

start_enrollment = 500returning_students = 460graduates = 25
  1. 01Eligible to return: 500 - 25 = 475
  2. 02Retention rate: 460 / 475 x 100 = 96.8%
  3. 03Attrition: 475 - 460 = 15 students lost
  4. 04Attrition rate: 3.2%

Ready to run the numbers?

Open School Retention Rate Calculator