MICHIGAN — Michigan’s four-year high school graduation rate reached a record-high of more than 84% during the 2024-25 school year. The data released Feb. 20 shows a 1.2 percentage point increase from the previous year, marking the highest level since the state adopted its current federal calculation formula in 2008.
The graduation rate rose to 84% from 82.8% the prior year, while the state’s four-year dropout rate improved to 7.1%. According to the Michigan Center for Educational Performance and Information, the five-year graduation rate also grew by nearly one percentage point to 85.8%. These figures represent progress toward the state’s strategic goal of increasing high school graduation percentages for all students.
Progress was recorded across 14 of 17 student groups in the state. Homeless students saw the largest increase at 4.6 percentage points, followed by military-connected students at 3.8 points and African American students at 2.6 points. Economically disadvantaged and Hispanic or Latino students also saw improvements of 1.5 and one percentage point, respectively.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer attributed the rising rates to state investments in classroom resources and student nutrition. “I know how much hard work students and parents do to walk across the stage and receive a high school diploma,” Whitmer said. “Since I took office, we’ve made record investments in education, from helping schools buy the latest textbooks and technology to delivering free breakfast and lunch to all 1.4 million public school students.”
State officials highlighted rigorous secondary programs as a primary driver of the improved graduation figures. Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs allow students to experience work-based learning in fields such as skilled trades, public safety, information technology and agriculture. Other programs seeing enrollment increases include dual enrollment, Early Middle College, Advanced Placement courses and International Baccalaureate programs.
The Michigan Department of Education also provides the Early Warning Intervention and Monitoring System to help schools identify students who are falling behind. This seven-step process examines data to determine which interventions will help students return to a path toward graduation. Additionally, 13,315 students used a personal curriculum during the 2024-25 school year to customize their learning, an increase from 10,627 students five years ago.
Of the 20 largest districts in the state, 16 reported graduation rate increases. Troy School District maintained the highest graduation rate in this group at 98.3%. Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) saw the largest growth among the major districts with a 5.1% increase, following gains of 3.8% and 3.2% in the previous two years.
DPSCD Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti said the district’s rate has risen from 64.5% four years ago to within one percentage point of the state average. “This is the highest graduation rate in the history of this district,” Vitti said. “We were intentional about building a stronger system of support around our high school students. This included advanced data tracking systems, more course recovery, additional counselors and mental health intervention for neighborhood high schools.”
State Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between educators, families and communities. “Michigan’s historically high graduation rate is a reflection of the efforts of Michigan students, educators, families and communities as well as state leaders,” Maleyko said. He noted that while there is more work to do, the state aims to make further progress in graduation rates while also improving outcomes in areas like literacy.
Graduation and dropout rates for all districts are available through the Michigan Center for Educational Performance and Information on the MI School Data website.