Montgomery County’s four-year cohort graduation in 2025 was 88.77%, which is slightly higher than the state average.
But graduation rates were higher during the school year that ended in 2024 both statewide and in Montgomery County. The overall state graduation rate was 87.6%, according to a presentation Tuesday during the Maryland State Department of Education meeting.
MCPS Graduation Rate
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) had a 91.85% graduation rate during the school year that ended in 2024.
Of the 13,705 Montgomery County students in the 2025 cohort that was followed, 12,166 successfully earned their diplomas within the four-year timeframe. The adjusted graduation cohort is a group of students who begin as first-time ninth graders in a particular school year. It is called “adjusted cohort” because students who transferred in during the four years of high school are added to the cohort, while students who transferred out and others are removed, according to the state Department of Education.
According to a news release from MCPS, “This decline serves as a critical indicator of the evolving challenges students face and underscores the urgency of our current work.” MCPS officials also stated, “A high school diploma is a 13-year journey where foundational skills are the key to long-term success, and the current figures suggest that student needs have outpaced the support systems provided in recent years. ”
Hispanics and African Americans Show Improvement
Hispanics and Latinos made up 50% of the dropout rate. Multi-language speakers had the largest decline while Blacks and African Americans had a “slight increase” in their graduation rates.
While Hispanics and Latinos showed the largest increase, that group also experienced the largest increase in enrollment throughout the state.
Despite the general decline, the state reported “encouraging growth” in graduation rates for African American students, individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and students with disabilities. However, the data also highlighted a significant decline among multilingual learners, identifying a key area for targeted intervention.
A Diploma Means Success
“For all of us who work in education, the ultimate mark of student success is when they walk across the stage on graduation day. We are encouraged by the progress we see among African American students, students with disabilities, and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds,” said Dr. Carey M. Wright, State Superintendent of Schools. “
To learn graduation rates and other information about individual schools, go to the Maryland Report Card website.
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