St. Paul’s graduation rate went up in 2024, bringing it to pre-pandemic levels, while the state overall notched its highest rate.

Graduation rates went up among multiple student demographics in 2024, with 84.2% of Minnesota high school seniors graduating in four years, according to the state Department of Education.

The percentage of students graduating in four years in St. Paul was 76.5%, compared to 68.4% in 2023 and 76.3% in 2019. The increase follows three consecutive years of declines in the district’s four-year graduation rate. The year 2024’s graduating class began ninth grade in distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

St. Paul’s graduation rate in 2023 did not include all summer graduates due to a technical error, officials said at the time. With those graduates included, the district’s graduation rate in 2023 was closer to 73.4%, according to the district.

Despite several districts reporting technical errors impacting their graduation data last year, state officials said graduation rates still increased in 2024, even when accounting for those differences.

“I am proud of our 2024 graduates and of our teachers, principals and many other staff who have worked diligently to support students in reaching this important milestone,” said SPPS Interim Superintendent John Thein in a statement. “To see the district’s graduation rate return to 2019 levels, and to increase significantly for many student groups, is a testament to the high-quality education that students and families should expect from Saint Paul Public Schools.”

Other metro districts

Meanwhile, Minneapolis Public Schools saw its four-year graduation rate go up from 67.8% to 73.8%, or six percentage points. The district had a graduation rate of 76.7% in 2022.

However, Minneapolis school officials last year put its graduation rate drop from 2022 to 2023 at a smaller number due to what officials said was a technical error that excluded summer graduations in 2023.

In the Anoka-Hennepin School District, the state’s largest district with more than 38,000 students, the graduation rate decreased slightly from the previous year, going from 86.7% to 85.6%.

The graduation rate for Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Schools — typically the state’s fourth-largest district with around 29,000 students — continued to increase, going from 87.7% in 2023 to 88.13% in 2024.

Statewide rates

Statewide in 2024, Minnesota had its highest graduation rate with a total of 59,720 students receiving diplomas. The graduation rate in 2023 was 83.3%, a slight drop from 2022.

“The students of the Class of 2024 worked hard and overcame challenges to achieve this milestone,” said state Education Commissioner Willie Jett in a statement. “I am thrilled to see the success of many of our student groups — especially those most at risk — and a closing of the achievement gap as we work to make sure every student, of every background, zip code and ability has access to a world-class education. I am also grateful for the educators, families and communities who stood behind these graduates and supported their needs and encouraged their successes.”

Graduation rates went up across multiple demographics, including among students who are American Indian, Asian, Black, Hispanic or Latino and white. Rates also increased for English learners, students from low-income families and students receiving special-education services.

The largest gains were among English learners with a graduation rate of 67.25%, or an increase of 3.9%, compared to last year; and Asian students with a graduation rate of 88.05%, or an increase of 2.7%, compared to last year.

“These successes, in part, are possible because of long-standing partnerships between school communities, the Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education. Support for Minnesota’s most vulnerable student groups are at risk as changes in the federal education landscape uproots supports that are designed to ensure equal education access for all students,” Jett said Tuesday.

Despite changes at the federal level, including President Donald Trump’s order to eliminate the U.S. Education Department, the state Department of Education will continue its work, Jett said.

“Our most vulnerable students are on the right track,” Jett said. “So now is not the time to interrupt all the important work being done to close achievement gaps. And so to Minnesota families, students and educators, I want to say clearly that the department of education here in Minnesota, we’re still here and we’re not going anywhere.”