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North Carolina鈥檚 public schools reached their highest graduation rate in history last year, while students also posted a three-year high on most standardized tests, according to test data presented Wednesday to the State Board of Education.

The state鈥檚 four-year graduation rate climbed to 87.7% for the 2024-25 school year, marking the third consecutive increase.

鈥淲e鈥檙e very excited, of course, today to recognize the highest four-year cohort graduation rate for North Carolina at 87.7%,鈥� said Tammy Howard, the Department of Public Instruction鈥檚 senior director of accountability and testing, during a press conference on Wednesday. 鈥淭his is a consistent increase for the past three years, but most notable, the highest ever.鈥�

The report showed improvements in 12 of 15 reading and math exams, including gains on every end-of-grade math test for grades three through eight. Howard said the results also revealed steady progress across all racial and ethnic groups, the strongest performance in three years.

鈥淭hese results represent more than just numbers,鈥� said聽State Superintendent Mo Green. 鈥淭hey represent thousands of students better prepared for their next phase in life.鈥�

One of the standouts was聽Nash Early College High School, which earned an overall A rating and exceeded academic growth targets for the sixth year in a row. Students there achieved proficiency rates of 83% in biology, 89% in math and 96% in English.

Principal Thomas B. McGeachy attributed the school鈥檚 success to its strong culture of teamwork and willingness to take risks.. 鈥淚鈥檝e tried to create an environment where I encourage staff and scholars to take risks,鈥� he said during the press conference. 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid of failure, because if you didn鈥檛 achieve what you wanted to that means you reflect on the experience and you build upon it.鈥�

Frederick Lindsay, a 13th-grader at the school, said the school鈥檚 dual enrollment program with Nash Community College gave him new experiences that reshaped his goals.

鈥淪ince we鈥檙e linked with Nash Community College, we have a wide variety of opportunities,鈥� Lindsay said. 鈥淚 got to experience a for the first time for $500 to stay there for five days. That鈥檚 an opportunity that you wouldn鈥檛 get many places.鈥�

Challenges remain

While math proficiency is nearing pre-pandemic levels, only 52.5% of third through eighth graders were proficient in reading last year, a rate still below the 57.3% recorded six years ago.

鈥淩eading is more difficult and takes more time,鈥� said Stacey Wilson-Norman, chief academic officer. 鈥淥ur teachers have been trained, but we just need to align some of the other supports to really accelerate that progress.鈥�

Green noted that North Carolina ranks 48th nationally in per-pupil spending, nearly $5,000 less per student than the national average, which could constrain future improvements. That gap, he said, makes it harder to attract the best teachers and to offer a full range of resources.

Officials also pointed to lingering setbacks from the pandemic and natural disasters, including lost instructional days in western school districts impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Despite these challenges, state leaders said the gains mark an important step toward their goal of making North Carolina鈥檚 public schools the best in the nation by 2030.

is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. NC Newsline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor for questions: [email protected].

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