Graduation Rate Rises for Students in Poverty and Those Who Receive Special Education Services

Graduation Rate Rises for Students at Six MCPS High Schools

According to data released March 26 by the Maryland State Department of Education, the four-year graduation rate for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students in the Class of 2023 was nearly 90%—at 89.6%. The MCPS graduation rate declined by 0.7 percentage points compared to last year and is higher than the state average of 85.8%, down from 86.3% in the prior year. Students graduating in 2023 entered high school in 2019-2020 and a significant portion of their high school experience was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting virtual and hybrid learning environments.

The Class of 2023 saw increases in graduation rates for students who receive Free and Reduced-price Meals System services (FARMS) (an increase of 2.8 percentage points), students who are Two or More Races (an increase of 2.6 percentage points), students who receive Individualized Education Program (IEP) services (an increase of 2.5 percentage points), and Black or African American students (an increase of 0.3 percentage points). 

At six MCPS high schools, the four-year graduation rate increased by 1.0 percentage point or more from the Class of 2022 cohort to the Class of 2023 cohort.

• Rockville High School, 5.3 percentage point increase
• Springbrook High School, 4.1 percentage point increase
• Damascus High School, 2.7 percentage point increase
• Winston Churchill High School, 2.4 percentage point increase
• Col. Zadok Magruder High School, 1.5 percentage point increase
• Paint Branch High School, 1.1 percentage point increase

"Despite a marginal .07 percent decline in our districtwide graduation rate, I am pleased to note several very encouraging trends in our data," said Interim Superintendent of Schools Monique T. Felder, Ph.D. "We are seeing notable upticks in graduation rates for students of poverty, those receiving special education services, students who are Two or More races, and our Black or African American students. The pandemic and the shift to virtual learning certainly impacted the Class of 2023, and these numbers reflect that. Nevertheless, we maintain unwavering confidence in our capacity to surmount this minor setback in the years ahead. With the district's momentum unabated, we are steadfast in our optimism for a promising future for every student.”

Graduation Rates for MCPS High Schools