Montgomery Boasts Highest Graduation Rate Among Large Districts

Montgomery County Public Schools graduates a higher percentage of high school students than any other large school district in the nation, according to data calculated by Education Week’s annual Diplomas Count report, school officials announced Thursday.

has a 76.4 percent graduation rate, while  is at 79.6 percent, according to numbers from the 2010-2011 school year. Northwood High School is at 76.3 percent.

Using numbers from the class of 2009, MCPS’s graduation rate is 87.6 percent, which is 1.9 percent more than the previous year, according to a statement from the school district. Maryland’s rate is 77.9 percent and the national graduation rate is 72.7.

Wheaton High School had a 2009 graduation rate of 79.1 percent; Kennedy was at 82.0 percent, and Northwood at 79.1 percent.

Nationwide, Fairfax County, VA, and Jefferson County, CO, were tied in second with 85.5 percent of students graduating, followed by Baltimore County and Broward County, FL.

“These results would not be possible without the hard work of our students, the dedication and outstanding performance of our employees and the continued support and investment of our community,” said Dr. Joshua P. Starr, superintendent of schools. “Together, we have made MCPS a national model of excellence.”  

Diplomas Count ranks the nation’s 50 largest school districts using the most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics. A statement from MCPS said that the index used to calculate Diploma Counts graduation rates is “significantly different” than the calculation used by the state of Maryland. In 2009, the state put MCPS’s graduation rate at 87 percent. 

This is the fourth year that MCPS has ranked number one on this list. 

The four-year graduation rate includes students who graduate the summer following their fourth year of high school.