District rate increases to 86%, showing progress across several student groups
Rochester, MN - Rochester Public Schools (RPS) today announced that the four-year graduation rate for the Class of 2024 reached 86%, according to data released by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). This marks a 2.0 percentage point increase from the Class of 2023 (84%) and represents the highest graduation rate the district has achieved in the past six years.
The overall increase reflects positive trends at several schools and among various student groups, demonstrating the district's ongoing commitment to academic success and student support.
"We are incredibly proud to see our district achieve its highest graduation rate in six years, a testament to the hard work of our students, the dedication of our educators and staff, and the support of our families," said Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel. "This 86% rate reflects real progress, particularly the significant gains at our Alternative Learning Center and Century High School, and the positive momentum for our students receiving multilingual services and those identifying as Black or Asian American."
District and School Highlights
Overall District Rate: 86% (Increase of 2.0 percentage points from 2023) - Highest rate since the Class of 2018.
Century High School: 91.7% (Increase of 3.1 percentage points)
Mayo High School: 92.6% (Increase of 0.6 percentage points)
Alternative Learning Center (ALC): 72.3% (Significant increase of 15.7 percentage points)
John Marshall High School: 89.4% (Decrease of 0.7 percentage points)
MNSync Online Secondary: 57.8% (Decrease of 4.9 percentage points)
Progress Across Student Groups
RPS saw encouraging progress among several student groups:
Students identifying as Black or African American saw a notable gain of approximately 10 percentage points, recovering from a decrease the previous year.
Students identifying as Asian American also recovered from a decrease in the prior year's data.
Students receiving Multilingual (ML) services showed gains for the first time in several years.
Students receiving free and reduced-price meals made progress in closing the graduation gap compared to their peers.
The district recognizes that challenges remain. Students receiving Special Education services continue to graduate at lower rates than their general education peers, and addressing this gap is a critical priority. While students identifying as Latino maintained similar rates to recent years, these remain below pre-pandemic levels. The district also notes that for groups with smaller student populations, such as those identifying as American Indian/Alaska Native, yearly percentage changes can appear large due to small shifts in student numbers, requiring careful, long-term analysis rather than focusing on a single year's fluctuation.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement
RPS remains focused on long-term strategies outlined in its strategic plan to support all students on their path to graduation and beyond. Key initiatives include:
Strengthening core instruction and providing targeted support through the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework.
Developing personalized learning plans and post-secondary preparation strategies.
Utilizing early warning systems to identify and intervene with students needing extra support.
Enhancing school counseling models and fostering a sense of belonging through restorative practices.
Empowering families through the Caregiver and Parent Empowerment (CAPE) program.
The district emphasizes that many students who did not graduate within four years remain enrolled in RPS. Dedicated efforts continue to support these students in completing their high school education.
"While we celebrate this achievement, we know our work isn't finished. We are committed to analyzing this data, addressing the persistent gaps for students receiving special education services, and ensuring every single student has the clear path and support needed to earn their diploma and succeed after high school," said Superintendent Pekel. "Our focus on initiatives like MTSS, personalized post-secondary planning, and strong community partnerships remains crucial as we strive for equitable outcomes for all learners."
Rochester Public Schools is committed to transparency and will continue to analyze this data to inform strategies that ensure equitable opportunities and successful outcomes for every student.