Detroit Public Schools Community District Sets All-Time High 83.2 Percent Graduation Rate

Class of 2025 breaks prior historic high of 78.3 percent and narrows gap to just 0.8 percentage points from the state’s 84 percent average graduation rate

DETROIT – February 20, 2026 – Following the Michigan Department of Education’s official release of graduation rates for the Class of 2025, Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) announced today that its on-time 4-year graduation rate reached an all-time high of 83.2 percent, surpassing the District’s previous record of 78.3 percent and placing DPSCD within less than one percentage point of the state average of 84 percent. The milestone reflects sustained academic reforms and strategic investments implemented under local control by the elected Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti, positioning the District among the fastest-improving urban school districts in the nation.

“This is the highest graduation rate in the history of this district,” said Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti. “Our teachers, counselors, principals, and staff knew we could do better and put in the work every day to get us here. Four years ago, we were at 64.5 percent. Today we are within less than a percentage point of the state average. That did not happen by accident. We were intentional about building a stronger system of support around our high school students, this included advanced data tracking systems, more course recovery, additional counselors and mental health intervention for neighborhood high schools. We still haven’t completely arrived where students need us to be as a District, but we are certainly making historic strides! I am proud of our students, their families, and our staff.”

The achievement marks a fourth consecutive year of improvement since the pandemic low of 64.5 percent in 2020-21, a recovery of 18.7 percentage points. During that same period, the state’s graduation rate improved by 3.5 percentage points. The District’s gap with the state average has narrowed from 16.0 percentage points in 2020-21 to less than one percentage point (0.8 pp) this year, the closest it has been to the state average in history.

The improvement was broad-based, with 18 of the District’s 24 high schools improving their graduation rates over the prior year and 13 schools meeting or exceeding the state average of 84 percent. Several schools recorded double-digit gains, and two schools achieved a 100 percent graduation rate.

The District attributes the sustained improvement to students arriving at high school better prepared academically, expanded college and career-level course offerings, and stronger systems for identifying and supporting students who fall off track. More than 60 percent of high school students are now enrolled in and passing skilled trade, dual enrollment, or Advanced Placement courses. The District has also invested in professional development for counselors and school leaders and improved tools for students, families, and school staff to monitor progress and better support students toward on-time graduation.

“As a Board, we are extremely proud of this historic accomplishment. It shows that our systems are getting stronger and that, with the unwavering support of our educators and families, our students are rising to show what is truly possible. This moment is more than a milestone; it is a bold promise of what DPSCD can achieve when we remain aligned, accountable, and courageous in our vision for students. And as we move into the High School Redesign, we are committed to preparing our students in ways that propel their success and expand the horizons of what they can achieve,” said DPSCD Board President LaTrice McClendon.

The District has exceeded the graduation rate targets set in its Blueprint 2027 strategic plan. Building on this progress, the District is preparing to launch its High School Redesign initiative with the incoming 9th grade class in the 2026-27 school year. The redesign, which will phase in over four years, introduces pathways aligned to four diploma types that the District rolled out this year: Honors, Dual Degree, Career-Ready, and Arts. The initiative expands advising, academic supports, and college and career-aligned experiences at the District’s neighborhood high schools and is grounded in the District’s Profile of a Graduate, which defines the knowledge, skills, and habits all DPSCD students need to succeed in college, career, and life.