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The New Mexico Public Education Department recently released graduation rates for the Class of 2023, revealing stagnation in our statewide rate. However, several school districts defied the odds and demonstrated success for our most struggling students.
Statewide Graduation Rate
While largely unchanged from 2022, the state’s graduation rate is now 76.7%, a slight increase from 76.5%. Despite this small increase, we know we must do more for our students to ensure that not only do they graduate, but also have access to an education that prepares them to accomplish their dreams.
Since 2016, our state’s graduation rate has been in the range of 70%, with a high of 76.9% for the Class of 2020. The rate dipped to 76.8% in 2021 and then 76.5% in 2022. With a slight increase of 0.2 percentage points, the Class of 2023 is now at 76.7%.
Examples of Success
Even with little change in our statewide rate year to year, bright spots have emerged proving progress and success are possible, right here, right now. Three districts—Bernalillo Public Schools, Bloomfield Municipal Schools, and Gadsden Independent School District —outperformed the state’s overall graduation rate and exceeded it in every Yazzie-Martinez subgroup.
The success of Bernalillo, Bloomfield, and Gadsden proves that success is possible for our most struggling students. Now that we know these results are achievable, we must demand them from every school and district across the state.
Performance of New Mexico’s Largest School Districts
Among the ten largest school districts in the state, more than half outperformed the statewide average. Gadsden Independent School District led the way with the highest graduation rate at 87.8%. However, New Mexico’s largest school district, Albuquerque Public Schools, along with Los Lunas and Roswell, fell below the state average.
Highest and Lowest Graduation Rates
Looking across the state, the school with the highest graduation rate was Los Alamos at 96.9%, while the school with the lowest graduation rate was Las Montanas Charter High School at 20.3%.
As we continue to envision the path forward for New Mexico’s students, we must not lose hope. Bernalillo, Bloomfield, and Gadsden’s success is proof that our students can succeed. We must work together—educators, parents, community leaders, and advocates like you—to ensure our students get the best education in every classroom, every school, and every district.
Over the next few weeks, our team will continue to analyze graduation rates and will release an overview of year-to-year changes for school districts and the state. Stay tuned!