Graduation Rates at Salem-Keizer Public Schools Are on the Rise

Salem-Keizer Public Schools’ average graduation rate improved for the first time since the 2019-20 school year according to data released today by the Oregon Department of Education. The district’s four-year cohort graduation rate of 79.43% represents its largest graduating class to date with 2,807 students graduating with either a regular or modified diploma.

High school graduation marks a pivotal milestone in the lives of students and we are incredibly proud of the hard work of our students to achieve this goal.
Deputy Superintendent Danielle Neves.

The data shows five of Salem-Keizer Public Schools’ six comprehensive high schools above the state average four-year cohort rate of 81.8%.

The district’s five-year cohort graduation rate of 80.8% represents the success realized by students who continue enrollment to reach graduation. Five of Salem-Keizer's comprehensive high schools surpassed the state’s average five-year cohort graduation rate of 83.7%.

“We know that some of our schools saw dips while others had increases in these rates,” said Neves. “Even with limited resources, we are continuing to focus on excellent instruction in every classroom and learning from efforts that have been successful in supporting students to reach graduation. We are committed to continuing this upward trend and celebrating with our students and families.”

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the number of students who receive a regular or modified diploma. There are additional ways for students to complete high school, such as attaining an extended diploma or receiving a GED. Taking those options into account, more than 83% of Salem-Keizer students complete high school in four years and 85.5% of students complete high school in five years.

In addition, more than 162 seniors have opted to continue enrollment in the district to complete their high school graduation requirements.

Supporting All Student Populations

Salem-Keizer Public Schools is one of the most diverse districts in the state with over 130 languages represented by students and families. Forty-one percent of Salem-Keizer students are reported as experiencing poverty, 18% receive special education resources, and 15% are considered mobile.

Notable Gains

Notable gains for the SKPS Class of 2024 came from students who identify as Black or African American, improving by more than 17.7 percentage points from the previous year. This represents a total increase of more than 28 percentage points over the previous two years. At 83.05%, SKPS Black or African American students surpassed the state average for all students for the first time in at least eight years.

The graduation rate for students identifying as American Indian/Alaska Native increased by 2.8 percentage points over the previous year.

The five-year cohort graduation rate for students navigating homelessness had a 4.35 percentage point gain over the previous year.

“We are always going to celebrate the success of our students because they deserve it and their families deserve it,” said School Board Chair Cynthia Richardson. “And while we celebrate the success of our graduates, we need to keep advocating for the resources needed by our students who have not yet reached graduation.”

Four comprehensive high schools noted improved graduation rate outcomes for students with disabilities.

Alternative Pathways to High School Completion

At the district’s non-traditional programs, success is more than a graduation rate. At Early College High School, the school’s 100% graduation rate tells the story of 50 students who received unique educational offerings and college credit through a partnership with Chemeketa Community College. ECHS students earned more than 2,700 college credits while attending high school and going to college.

At Roberts High School, 51 students graduated with a regular or modified diploma, 107 students received their GED, and another 74 students are continuing enrollment.

District Dropout Rates

As defined by ODE, a dropout is a student who withdrew from school and did not graduate or transfer to another school which leads to graduation.

The district’s 2024 dropout rate of 3.99% is a tenth of a percentage point increase over the previous year’s reported dropout rate of 3.89%.

Class of 2024 Fast Facts

• 2,807 graduates with regular or modified diplomas
• 132 students completed school with an extended diploma or GED
• 16 students received alternative certificates
• 162 students are continuing enrollment
• Over $101 million in scholarships earned

Additional Points of Pride for SKPS High Schools

Early College High School – 100% (50 Graduates)

• The five-year cohort graduation rate is 97.4%
• ECHS students earned more than 2,700 college credits
• Six graduates also earned an associate degree

McKay – 77.6% (482 Graduates)

• The graduation rate for former English language learners is 90.7%, which is above the state average
• Career and Technical Education concentrators have graduation rates above 98%
• The five-year graduation rate for students with disabilities is 75.8%, which is above the state average

McNary – 88.3% (444 Graduates)

• McNary’s graduation rate is 6.5 percentage points higher than the state average
• McNary’s five-year cohort graduation rate is 93.5%, nearly 10 points above the state average
• CTE participants graduated at a rate of 93.6% while CTE concentrators graduated at a rate of 98.9%

North Salem – 81.8% (468 Graduates)

• North Salem’s four-year cohort rate increased by 4.6 percentage points over the previous year
• More than 95% of CTE concentrators graduated
• The graduation rate for English language learners increased by 8.6 points over the previous year
• The graduation rate for migrant students was 83%, which is above the state average

Roberts High School – 13.9% (51 Graduates) | 42.9% Completion Rate (107 Completers)

• The five-year cohort completer rate improved by 3.4 percentage points over the previous year
• 107 students received their GED through Roberts
• The graduation rate for English Learners improved by more than 2.5 percentage points

South Salem – 90.4% (500 Graduates)

• The four-year cohort graduation rate increased by 5.7 percentage points and is 8.6 points above the state average
• CTE concentrators graduated at a rate above 95%
• The four-year cohort graduation rate for students with disabilities improved by five percentage points over the previous year and is 7.5 percentage points above the state average

Sprague – 94.26% (427 Graduates)

• The four-year cohort rate increased by 2.66 percentage points over the previous year
• This is Sprague’s seventh consecutive year of being above a 90% graduation rate
• CTE participants and concentrators graduated at a rate above 95%
• Students with disabilities graduated at a rate of 84%, which is 15.2 points higher than the state average

West Salem – 93% (385 Graduates)

• This is West Salem’s sixth consecutive year of being above a 90% graduation rate
• Students identifying as Hispanic or Latino/a/x graduated at a rate of 92.3%
• Students who were former English language learners had a graduation rate of 94.2%, which is 6.4 points above the state average

Additional Graduation Data

View the full graduation rates on the Oregon Department of Education website.