Montana’s high school graduation rate has never been higher. Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau announced today at Missoula’s Sentinel High School that 86 percent of students graduated in 2015. That’s a jump of nearly 6 percent since 2009.
Montana’s graduation rate has never been just about a number, Juneau said.
"It’s about making sure every student in Montana, no matter their background, their ZIP code, their economic background, has an equal shot at success."
Juneau said that the higher graduation rates will lead to a $6 million increase in the state’s economy.
Graduation rates rose for both Montana students overall and among American Indian students. But the number of Native students graduating high school has remained 20 percent below the overall graduation rate since 2009.
The latest national statistics rank Montana 21st among the states in high school graduation.