State graduation levels increased to 82.8% in 2024 from 81.8 in 2023 according to the Michigan Center for Educational Performance and Information.
Rates showed the largest improvement for American Indian, Alaskan Native, multiracial and English language learners, all up more than 3 percentage points.
In Grand Rapids, the largest school district in West Michigan, the graduation rate continued its rise reaching 82.53%. Luke Stier is the district’s Director of Communications.
“I think one of the most exciting things is the size of the graduating class. We had 756 scholars graduate last year, a 10% increase from the year before when there were 683 graduates and it's the largest graduating class from GRPS in the past decade.”
The state superintendent credits programs like Career and Technical Training, advanced placement and dual college enrollment. Stier emphasizes the goal is to prepare students for life post-graduation.
“We had 57% of our graduates enrolled in college within six months of graduation. It’s the highest level we've seen in recent years, whether it's college or going into a career, we're working to provide the supports - those programs - for them to be able to be ready for what's next after high school graduation.”
Holland City Schools graduation rates hit 81.6% - a record high for the district and the highest rate since 2008.
Muskegon County’s biggest district, Mona Shores saw a 94.2% graduation rate.
Information on other districts can be found at mischooldata.org.
