MASSENA — By 2013, Massena's high school principal hopes to have a 90 percent graduation rate.

Last year, 19 percent of students enrolled in the high school dropped out. Massena Central School District has the highest dropout rate in St. Lawrence County, school officials say.

New programs are being developed each year to encourage students to stay in school, mainly involving mentorships and real-life experiences, like trips to colleges or workshops outside of school.

"Within the next few years, we can be at 90 percent graduation and 10 percent dropout," Principal Alan C. Oliver said. "Not within a year, but within the next five years, I think it's realistic that we can do that."

Over the past four years, dropout rates have hovered around 20 percent. This year, Mr. Oliver estimates that dropout rates will dip to 15 percent.

"Clearly, there's a lot of work to go, but we seem to be going in the right direction," he said.

Three programs were created this year, including the extended day program and a peer mentoring program. The extended day program modifies student schedules so those in need of a few credits come in later in the day and those who need more stay beyond the normal day.

The peer mentoring program pairs juniors with at-risk freshmen, to give new students an opportunity to bond with older ones and find something fun about school, officials say.

The high school staff also has created an instructional support team, which includes guidance counselors, administrators and some teachers to discuss individual students and attempt to develop ways to keep at-risk students in school.

"We know there is no one answer," Mr. Oliver said. "We're just trying to create a bunch of programs."

In December, the district will stop giving out-of-school suspensions as punishments. Instead, students who would have been banned from school property will go to a separate classroom where they will receive seven hours of instruction.

"Basically, what we're doing is going entirely to in-school suspension and getting rid of out-of-school suspension," Board of Education President Julie L. Reagan said.

This will cut down on the need for tutors to set up meeting times with suspended students, who now are required only to go for two hours of instruction.

"You won't see kids out on the street anymore," Superintendent Roger B. Clough II said.

The separate classroom for those students will be done in December, according to William L. Seguin, director of operations.

The district is continuing to develop programs to reach out to students who school officials believe are at risk of dropping out. Next year, administrators plan to expand the alternative education program and peer mentoring programs.

"Dropping out is not an event. It's a gradual process of disengagement over time," Mr. Oliver said. "It doesn't mean we're going to save them all."