High school graduation rate in Las Vegas continues to climb

By Hillary Davis (contact)

Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 | 2:03 p.m.

The high school graduation rate in the Clark County School District inched up again last school year.

Citing Nevada Department of Education data, CCSD said today that the class of 2023 had a graduation rate of 81.5% districtwide, up from 81.3% for the class of 2022.

Last school year, 21,675 CCSD students earned diplomas of all types. The class of 2022 had 20,499 total graduates.

Seven schools achieved a 100% graduation rate for the class of 2023: Advanced Technologies Academy, Burk Horizon Southwest, College of Southern Nevada High School-East, College of Southern Nevada High School-South, College of Southern Nevada High School-West, East Career and Technical Academy, and Mission High School.

CCSD also reports an increase in students earning a college and career readiness diploma, which is more rigorous than the standard diploma.

Last school year, 5,960 students graduated with a college and career readiness diploma, which is up from 5,735 graduates with the same diploma the prior school year.

While CCSD’s graduation rate isn’t back to its pre-pandemic level, it has been improving incrementally since dipping to 80.9% for the class of 2021 – students who spent a portion of their junior year and most, if not all, of their senior year learning remotely.

“Student performance improves when systems of instruction align to research-based curriculum and support. With a focus on our students, our educators, administrators, and staff all contribute to improving results. I am proud of the performance reflected in these numbers,” CCSD Superintendent Jesus Jara said in a statement.

“As we rebound, we remain committed to addressing pandemic-related impacts on our students so their futures are as bright as the generations before them. We will continue the implementation of systems that did not exist previously to ensure continued student progress and academic success.”