Howard County Reports Record High Graduation Rate for Class of 2022

March 2nd, 2023

The Howard County Public School System Class of 2022 achieved a graduation rate of 94.59%, a 1.81 percentage point increase from the Class of 2019. The HCPSS 2022 graduation rate exceeds the 2022 Maryland average of 86.3 percent and is the highest rate since 2011.

The graduation rate for students with Limited English Proficiency increased by 9.48 percentage points from 47.22% for the Class of 2019 to 56.70% for the Class of 2022. The rate for students receiving Free and Reduced Meals increased by 4.94 percentage points. In addition, rates for Black/African American and Hispanic students increased by 2.22 and 4.55 percentage points, respectively. Asian American, white and students who identified as two or more races achieved graduation rates of 95%.

HCPSS Superintendent Michael J. Martirano has consistently emphasized the importance of improving graduation rates, especially among student groups who have lagged behind their peers. “Graduation is our north star and a culmination of the hard work by each student, staff member and parent/guardian from the time the student enters our doors until the day they graduate. While our graduation rate is an achievement that should be celebrated, we will also continue to recognize the disparities that persist among student groups and continue to address these gaps. As we look to the future, we must ensure that every graduate is prepared to be successful in life after high school. Our focus remains steadfast on providing individual supports so that every student can achieve on their academic journey.”

A summary of the four-year adjusted cohort graduation and dropout trends for the Classes of 2019 through 2022 is provided below.

• Of the 4,662 HCPSS students who entered high school in the fall of 2018-19 (Class of 2022), 94.59% graduated in four years, reflecting an increase of 1.81 percentage points from 92.78% for the Class of 2019.
• The HCPSS Class of 2022 dropout rate was 3.15%, reflecting a decrease of 1.37 percentage points from 4.53% for the Class of 2019.

“The Board of Education celebrates our students’ accomplishments, alongside their families and the HCPSS staff who supported them on their journey,” stated Antonia Watts, Board of Education Chair. “While we recognize that we have work to do to decrease the disparities the exist between student groups, the achievements and successes of our students are remarkable and should be celebrated.”

Note that 2022 graduation rates are being compared to 2019 as 2022 graduation requirements were more comparable to those from 2019 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some waivers still in place in 2022 may have had a positive impact on graduation rates similar to the potential effect of the waivers in place for the Classes of 2020 and 2021.

Additional details on graduation and dropout rates for HCPSS and other Maryland school systems and schools can be found online.