This study has focused upon the impact of changing the curriculum in a small rural high school to improve the retention of students into the post-compulsory years. An examination of the opinions of the stakeholders directly affected by the school's decision to expand the curriculum provided essential information for this evaluation. Data was gathered using a two part questionnaire which included an attitude inventory and open ended response questions. The study examined the impact of the curriculum change on the first cohort of students to experience the new curriculum and the methodology would be suitable for use in a longitudinal evaluation. The data indicated that the introduction of vocational options was strongly supported by the students, staff, parents and employers involved in the implementation of the new curriculum. Their opinions gave decision- makers sufficient information to make minor modifications to the curriculum for the benefit of following cohorts. Evidence from school records, leavers destination surveys and Higher School Certificate results indicated that there had been some improvement in student outcomes corresponding with the introduction of the new curriculum. This study concluded that curriculum modification has the potential to improve the rate at which students return to complete the post-compulsory years of schooling in the small rural school in which the study was undertaken.