NewsLine staff
The Class of 2025 has achieved a new, historically high graduation rate for Duval County Public Schools, according to a district release issued Jan. 13.
Among traditional high schools, the graduation rate rose to 97.6%, an increase of more than 2 percentage points from the previous year, the release stated. The district’s comprehensive graduation rate, which includes charter schools, also saw significant gains, rising from 90.9% in 2024 to 94.3% in 2025, according to the release.
These gains outpace the state’s growth, which has increased by 11.5 percentage points over the last 10 years, the release noted.
“Consistent, steady growth doesn’t happen by accident,” Superintendent Christopher Bernier said in the release. “These results reflect intentional, dedicated work from all of Team Duval—from our pre-kindergarten teachers to our high school counselors. It’s the daily, patient, behind-the-scenes efforts of our teachers, counselors, administrators, students, and families that lead to big results.”
For the first time in district history, students from every subgroup across all Duval high schools surpassed a 90% graduation rate, the release said. The district reported that Asian students led with 98.2%, followed by White students at 94.7%, Hispanic students at 94.1% and African American students at 93.6%, according to the release. English Language Learners achieved a 93.2% rate, while students with disabilities and those receiving free and reduced lunch graduated at rates of 91.7% and 91.5%, respectively, the release stated.
Districtwide success was reflected at the school level, with all 21 traditional high schools earning a graduation rate of 90% or higher, according to the release.
Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, Paxon School for Advanced Studies, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, Darnell-Cookman School of the Medical Arts, Stanton College Preparatory School and Samuel W. Wolfson High School each achieved 100% graduation rates, the release noted.
Westside High School and Englewood High School recorded the largest year-over-year increases, rising by 6.35 and 5.59 percentage points, respectively, according to the release.
To earn a standard high school diploma, the state of Florida requires students to meet assessment requirements by passing the Grade 10 ELA FAST assessment and the Algebra 1 end-of-course exam, or by earning approved comparative scores, the release stated.
Students must also earn a minimum 2.0 GPA and complete 24 credits, including four in English/language arts, four in mathematics, three in science, three in social studies and one in fine arts, according to the release.
For more information about graduation rates for Duval County Public Schools, the release noted that residents can visit the Florida Department of Education’s graduation data webpage.
