Over a decade starting in 1971, Kennedy high school ranked in the academic top ten of all high schools in the state and graduated 100 percent of its students.
A. Over a decade starting in 1971,
So, School has ranked in top10 and graduated 100% of its students for more than a decade and this trend started in 1971
B. For almost a decade having its start in 1971,For almost a decade means less than a decade... Different meaning than the original question stem.
C. Starting in 1971 for a decade,Starting in 1971 for exact a decade.. It has a different meaning again.
D. Starting for a decade in 1971Its a total messed up statement. It says the top10 rank started in 1971 and continued for a decade.. but not now..
E. During a decade, a period starting in 1971,During means sometimes in a decade between 1971 -1980 the school ranked top ten ...
All the other options except A are changing the meaning.. So "A" is correct...