The purpose of this study was to determine what factors contribute to the high school dropout rate. The rate at which students are dropping out of high school is a dilemma and has become a serious problem for school districts across the nation. There is an immediate need for further research on this problem. A qualitative research method was used to focus on the meaning that people make of their lives, their experiences, and their environment. A diverse group of ten male and female participants from an alternative learning facility located in the eastern part of a school district in North Carolina made up the sample population specific to this study. The outcome of this study gained specific data that can be shared and can help schools develop programs or policies for reducing the high school dropout rate. The small group sampling of ten students from one alternative school limited the study. It was concluded that multiple risk factors contribute to student disengagement and accelerate the risk of dropping out of school. The study contributes to literature by providing valuable researched-based evidence that identify factors that contribute to the high school dropout rate.