APS Sees Modest Increase in Graduation Rate

Highland, Rio Grande high schools exit MRI status after sustained gains in graduation rates.

Albuquerque Public Schools saw a nearly 1 percentage point increase in its graduation rate, with Freedom, Rio Grande and West Mesa high schools achieving the biggest gains. In all, 12 of 20 APS high schools saw gains.

APS posted a combined graduation rate of 76.8% for the Class of 2025, an increase of 0.9 percentage points from the Class of 2024. The rate excludes charter schools, over which APS has limited academic control.

“We’re happy that our graduation rate continues to improve but know there’s still more work to be done,” said APS Superintendent Gabriella Blakey. “Toward that end, we’re partnering with our community to reimagine the high school experience and make it more engaging for students.” 

Graduation rates released Friday by the New Mexico Public Education Department show the statewide grad rate for the Class of 2025 was 80.6%, an increase of 2.4 percentage points from the Class of 2024. 

The PED highlighted eight schools that have exited school improvement status, including Rio Grande High School and Highland High School, which exited MRI status after sustained gains in graduation rates. Rio Grande High posted a 74.1% graduation rate, an improvement of 5.5 percentage points. Highland High’s graduation rate was 67.8%, a 1.7 percentage point increase over the prior year.

The agency called it “a significant turnaround following years of focused improvement supported by stronger instructional leadership and targeted PED coaching and monitoring.”

APS graduation rates have steadily increased each year since the 2021-2022 school year, reflecting a total gain of 6.5 percentage points when excluding charter schools. This increase represents a return to pre-pandemic graduation rates.

Among student groups, there was an increase in all race and ethnicity groups, with Native students increasing 6.6 percentage points–the largest increase reported among all reported student races. African American students were not far behind with an increase of 4.5 percentage points.

Graduation rates for economically disadvantaged students increased by 7.6 percentage points–the largest one-year increase among all reported student groups. English learners experienced a one-year increase of 5.4% while special education students experienced a one-year increase of 5.6%.

At the school level, 12 high schools showed an increase in graduation rates, ranging from 0.5 percentage points to 7.9 percentage points.

Among APS comprehensive high schools, La Cueva posted the highest graduation rate, with 89.5% of students graduating–a 1.7 percentage point decrease from the class of 2024. West Mesa High school increased its graduation rate by 4.8 percentage points, with 70.7% of its students graduating.

Among APS schools of choice, nex+Gen Academy had the highest graduation rate, with 90.8% of students graduating–a 3.7 percentage point increase. Freedom High School improved its graduation rate by 7.9 percentage points.

2025 Graduation Rates by High School, percentage point increase or decrease

• Albuquerque High 77.2% (+2)
• Atrisco Heritage Academy  81% (+1.3)
• Cibola High 78.1% (+1.4%)
• College and Career 90.2% (-5.5)
• Del Norte High 69.5% (+3.9)
• Early College Academy 90.6% (-7.9)
• Ecademy 55.8% (-2.6)
• Eldorado High 83.1% (+2.1)
• Freedom High 29.4% (+7.9)
• Highland High 67.8% (+1.7)
• La Cueva High 89.5% (-1.7)
• Manzano High 67.7% (+3.6)
• Nex+Gen Academy 90.8% (+3.7)
• Rio Grande High 74.1% (+5.5)
• Sandia High 82.8% (+0.5)
• Valley High 73.8% (-0.6)
• Volcano Vista High 87.2% (-2)
• West Mesa High 70.7% (+4.8)