The New Mexico Public Education Department recently released graduation data for the Class of 2025. High school graduation marks an important milestone for New Mexico students, but it also raises an important question: does a diploma truly mean our students are ready for what comes next?

At NewMexicoKidsCAN, we believe a diploma should open doors. It should prepare every student to become the future leaders our state needs and give them the opportunity to live choice-filled lives, where they can pursue their goals and dreams.

As we consider the latest statewide graduation data, we must ask: Is this the reality for every student in New Mexico? And if not, what must we do to ensure a high school diploma truly signals readiness for college, career, and life?

Statewide Graduation Data

The statewide graduation rate increased from 78.05% for the Class of 2024 to 80.63% for the Class of 2025, an increase of 2.58 percentage points. Graduation rates also increased across every student group this year, signaling encouraging progress. African American students experienced the largest increase, rising 7.09 percentage points from 69.31% to 76.40%.

Among students identified in the Yazzie-Martinez ruling, economically disadvantaged students saw graduation rates increase 5.42 percentage points (from 70.52% to 75.94%), while Native American students experienced gains of 4.55 percentage points, and students with disabilities saw an increase of 4.40 percentage points. English learners experienced the smallest increase, rising 0.58 percentage points from 77.56% in 2024 to 78.14% in 2025.

In New Mexico, all 11th-grade students take the SAT as the statewide summative assessment each spring. Based on SAT results from the 2023–2024 school year, when the Class of 2025 were juniors, 36% of students were proficient in reading, and just 11% were proficient in math. These results provide important context as we consider what earning a diploma should represent.

Performance Among New Mexico’s Largest School Districts

Among New Mexico’s ten largest school districts, Gadsden Independent School District posted the highest graduation rate at 90.93%, an increase of 3.47 percentage points from 87.46% in 2024.

Rio Rancho Public Schools had the second-highest graduation rate at 89.43%, followed by Hobbs Municipal Schools at 87.47%, Farmington Municipal Schools at 82.28%, and Santa Fe Public Schools at 80.26%.

Despite ranking among the top five for graduation rates among the largest districts, Farmington and Santa Fe both saw declines. Farmington’s rate decreased by 3.36 percentage points, while Santa Fe declined by 2.84 percentage points. Las Cruces Public Schools also experienced a decline of 1.30 percentage points.

Among the ten largest districts, the largest increases in graduation rates were seen in Los Lunas Schools (+8.41 percentage points), followed by Roswell Independent Schools (+4.25), Rio Rancho Public Schools (+3.71), Gadsden Independent School District (+3.47), and Albuquerque Public Schools (+2.18). Albuquerque Public Schools, the largest district in the state, saw its graduation rate rise from 73.51% in 2024 to 75.69% in 2025

Top Rates Across New Mexico

The schools with the highest graduation rates include Arrowhead Park Early College High School (97.36%), Los Alamos High School (97.10%), Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School (96.74%), New Mexico School for the Arts (95.21%), Santa Teresa High School (94.54%), Tatum High School (94.21%), Public Academy for Performing Arts (94.01%), Texico High School (93.78%), Cuba High School (92.83%), and South Valley Academy (92.56%).

We celebrate the success of the Class of 2025 and the progress made across our state. Districts like Gadsden, and schools like Santa Teresa High School, demonstrate that strong outcomes are possible for students who have historically been underserved. As New Mexico’s graduation rate continues to rise, we must ensure that every diploma reflects the preparation students need for what comes next. A diploma should signal that a student can read and do math proficiently and graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue their dreams and overcome the challenges they may face.

To explore graduation data for your local school or district and see how your community is doing, visit the public education department’s website.