Michigan’s 2025 four-year graduation rate improved to the highest level since the state adopted the federal formula for calculating the rate in 2008, according to the latest data released by the Michigan Department of Education.
Data Points:
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- The rate increased to just over 84%, up 1.2% from the previous year.
- The four-year dropout rate improved to 7.1%, down from 7.7%.
- The five-year graduation rate improved by nearly 1%, to 85.8%.
- The largest increases were for homeless students (4.6%), military-connected students (3.8%), African American students (2.6%), economically disadvantaged students (1.5%), and Hispanic/Latino students (1%).
- Of the largest 20 districts in the state, 16 increased their graduation rates.
- Of those, Detroit Public Schools Community District had the largest increase of 5.1%.
- Of those, the Troy School District had the highest graduation rate, at 98.3%.
Contributing Factors:
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- Experts are pointing to secondary school programs such as Career and Technical Education as having contributed to the increasing graduation rate.
- Additional secondary school programs have experienced increased enrollment, such as dual enrollment, Middle College, and AP courses.
- Personal curriculum allows students to customize their learning by taking courses aligned with their interests and future educational or career goals. Last school year, program participation increased to 13,315 students.
