Graduation

In 2018-19, overall 73.9% of NM students graduated high school within four years, a 2.8% increase from 2017-18. Although disparities by racial and ethnic groups persist, there was strong improvement for Hispanic and American Indian students.

Educational systems implement meaningful change with data-driven decisions. The 4-year cohort rate provides schools with a rich source of information by which to gauge their effectiveness. The U.S. Department of Education approved New Mexico’s cohort graduation method in 2010, so data systems are in place and cohort trajectories established. New Mexico has set an ambitious goal for the 5-year graduation rate of 85% in the year 2020. All high schools with a 12th grade will be held to that standard.