The Martin County School District's (MCSD) 2021 graduation rate was its highest ever according to data released on January 4, 2022, by the Florida Department of Education. MCSD earned a graduation rate of 94.1%, a 3.9 percentage point increase over its graduation rate of 90.2% in 2020. The graduation rate for the three traditional, District-operated high schools increased to 97.1% in 2021, an increase of 1.8 percentage points over last year's rate and 7 percentage points above the state's overall graduation rate of 90.1%.
Moreover, the graduation rate for all demographic groups of students increased significantly in 2021. The graduation rate for students who qualify for Exceptional Student Education (ESE) services increased from 78.5% to 86.3%; English Language Learners (ELLs) improved from 76.7% to 86.5%; Black students improved from 75% to 86.5%; Hispanic students improved from 84% to 90.6%; White students improved from 94.2% and 96.5%, and the rate for students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals increased from 84.7% to 90.4%.
Graduation rates are based on students who finish high school "on time," within four years of entering ninth grade. In order to count as graduates, students must obtain a standard high school diploma (18 or 24 credit hours) or be enrolled in an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program and eligible for graduation but electing to defer receipt of their diploma to return and attend school under FAPE (Free and Appropriate Public Education).
“We remain committed to providing each of our students with the effective instruction and learning opportunities they need to achieve the goal of high school graduation," said Superintendent John D. Millay. "While we still have work to do to ensure all of our students become graduates, these remarkable results reinforce my confidence that we are headed in the right direction. I am extremely proud of our students, faculty, staff and families for their hard work and commitment to achieving success.”
2021 graduation rates for Martin County schools are as follows:
- Clark Advanced Learning Center - 98.9%
- Jensen Beach High School - 98.0%
- Martin County High School - 97.2%
- South Fork High School - 96.2%
To learn more about graduation rates, please click here to visit the Florida Department of Education's website.