Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius, EdD, credits intentional strategies by the district for MPS’s highest graduation rate since the state began calculating the current four-year graduation rate in 2009-10.

“Every student deserves the opportunity to graduate on time and achieve their dreams,” Dr. Cassellius said.“There is more work to do to get there. At the same time, we should celebrate intentional strategies that have driven this growth: a focus on student data monitoring and support, continuous student transcript review, dropout prevention, summer school, college and career readiness work, credit recovery, alternative programs, and other strategies.” 

The graduation rate grew from 64% for the class of 2021 to 68% for the class of 2024 and now 72% for the class of 2025. Data show long-term growth across all racial-ethnic groups represented in the district: Asian, Black, Hispanic, Native American, White, and multiracial students.

Related data points underscore the positive trend, including these figures from 2023-24 to 2024-25: a three percentage-point increase in ACT English proficiency, a slight increase in attendance districtwide, a slight decrease in dropout rate and a slight reduction in chronic absenteeism.

MPS-staffed schools that meet or exceed the district average for the graduation rate include: 

• Golda Meir School: 99% 
• Ronald Reagan College Preparatory High School: 99% 
• Rufus King International High School: 94% 
• Milwaukee High School of the Arts: 91%
• Milwaukee School of Languages: 88% 
• Audubon Technology and Communication High School: 86% 
• GreenTree Preparatory Academy: 86% 
• MacDowell Montessori School: 84% 
• Riverside University High School: 81% 
• Lynde and Harry Bradley Technology and Trade School: 79% 
• Harold S. Vincent High School of Agricultural Science: 73% 

Five-year graduation rates – which reflect students who take more time to complete – also grew from 71% for the class of 2021 to 75% for the class of 2024.

“We want to thank the students, teachers, support staff and administrators who helped drive this sustained growth,” said Milwaukee Board of School Directors President Missy Zombor. “Now our charge is to focus on and expand the strategies that are working – and add additional proven strategies to help all students graduate on time.”

President Zombor and Dr. Cassellius noted that the district will expand strategies such as stronger student data progress monitoring, early intervention, better engaging students through career exploration, dual enrollment, advanced coursework and continuation of alternative pathways to graduation.

In addition, Milwaukee Public Schools’ seven-year, $23 million GEAR UP grant will support more than 4,000 students on their path to high school graduation and college, starting in 4th grade.