The Portland (Oregon) School District defines a school leaver as any student who is registered during the school year, leaves school, does not enter another school in the district that year, and for whom no request for transfer or withdrawal is entered. The district offers an array of programs that address the problem of school leavers. At the organizational level, high schools with extremely low enrollment or high leaver rates have been closed and their students assigned to other schools. In the area of student placement, the district operates a variety of educational alternatives, scheduling options, and other opportunities designed to meet students' needs. In addition, student performance is monitored and various intervention activities are employed to prevent and recover school leavers. Efforts taken in Portland to reduce the problem of school leavers are consistent with the school system's mission to help every child to reach his or her full potential. The comprehensive high school is the primary vehicle for acheiving this mission. (GC)