The four-year graduation rate for MCPS students has risen to 89.3 percent, according to data released by the Maryland State Department of Education. The MCPS graduation rate rose 0.6 percentage points compared with last year, and is higher than the state average of 86.8 percent.
The graduation rate for the Class of 2020 students with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) rose 3.0 percent in the Class of 2020 over the previous year graduates and jumped a significant 9.3 percent since the Class of 2018. Nearly 240 more LEP students graduated in 2020 than in 2019; and 531 LEP more students graduated in 2020 than in 2018.
The Class of 2020 saw increases in graduation rates for all student groups, with the exception of Asian students. The graduation rate for Hispanic/Latino students rose to 77.1 percent, a one-year increase of 1 percentage point. The graduation rate for Black or African American students rose to 91.3 percent, a one-year increase of 1.6 percentage points. The rate also rose for special education students (4.1 percent over two years), and students who receive Free and Reduced-price Meals (2.8 percent over two years).
The numbers are notable, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, which closed schools in March 2020, and has made remote learning a unique and challenging experience for students and their families.
