The Avon Maitland District School Board has released figures that show between 30 and 40 per cent of its Grade 12 students come back for a fifth year.
Superintendent Mike Ash says because there are no main post-secondary campuses in the area, students have to leave home, and many are not ready after Grade 12.
He also admits they don't discourage students from seeking more than the minimum 34 credits, even though the board is funded at a lower level for more than 34.
Ash says the difference is not enough to convince them to change their policy. He points out their objective is to help students prepare for their ultimate destination after high school.
Ash adds high numbers of fifth-year students can also affect scheduling, and in the case of popular courses, the fifth-year students are placed at the bottom of the list to make sure the students who have not already taken the course have the opportunity to do so.