The main purpose of this study was to investigate some of the cause that contributes to grade nine students' grade retention in general secondary schools of Dabat Woreda. It has Jttempted to i<Jentify the major factors under two heading: in school and out of school factors to present separate area of intervention. In order to attain the objectives, the study was .. carried out on two general secondary schools which were selected using comprehensive . "Sampling techniques. The study involved 264(M= 106 & F= 158) grade repeaters that were .. selected using comprehensive sampling techniques and 44 teachers and two principals . purposely selected from the two sample school. The data gathered were analyzed using 4'Jercentage, mean, spearmen rank order correlation coefficient and t-text. Based; on the study ... . J • of the analysis, the highest percentage of grade repeaters was observed at difficulty of language of instruction, students' failure to study hard, poor quality of teaching, lack of guidance and counseling and frequent absenteeism of students were in school related. On the other hand low level off amily income, parent (pupils) health problem, lack of parents support and child labor were identified as major out of school related causes for grade retention in grade nin~abat Woreda general secondary schools. The spearmen rank order correlation of the in school factors of homeroom teachers and grade repeaters was 0. 62 and the t-test result reveals 2.235 at 0. 05 two tailed df This shows the significance difference: between the reasons of grade repeaters and homeroom teachers. On the other hand, the spearmen rank order correlation of the out of school factors of homeroom teachers and grade repeaters was 0. 9!:JQ and the t-test result reveals 8. 796 at 0. 05 two tailed df This result shows 'the insignificance djff erence between the reasons of grade repeaters and homeroom teachers. It was also found 011;t that the combined effect of both in school and out of school factors were important in explaining students' grade retentions in the secondary schools of the woreda. It was indicated that the cause of grade nine students grade retention is a function of variables which emanate from in school and out of school systems. In addition, this study found out the 1 magnitude of the problem in terms of gender. The incidence of the problem is relatively higher • q,mong girls than among boys. The ref ore, it was recommended that to assign the best teachers, _pommunity sensitization , counseling service should effectively provide and education be taken tQ reduce the prevailing scope of grade nine students grade retention in Dabat Woreda