The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) released its 2024 graduation rates on Wednesday with official numbers from the previous school year, revealing the state experienced its largest graduation turnout. Local southwest schools have also reported significant increases.

59,720 Minnesota high school seniors walked the stage last year, reported by MDE, counting for 84.2% of the graduating class and the highest number the state has ever seen.

Marshall High School recorded a 90% graduation rate with 199 students in 2024, its largest rate and graduate count since 92.4% in 2022.

“We’re excited to see our graduation rate continue to improve,” Marshall superintendent Jeremy Williams said. “It’s a testament to the great work our teachers do every day.”

Williams noted he’s optimistic about continuing to see improvement, particularly with enrollment for Marshall’s Career and Technical Institute (CTI) program already seeing a larger demand for next school year.

“Enrollment at our CTI Center is up 18% for the 2025-26 school year, thanks to expanded course offerings and strong student interest,” Williams said. “That shows great potential to further improve our scores, graduation rate and student success post-graduation.”

The 2024 report card also detailed Marshall High School had a 95.3% consistent attendance rate, meaning a student attends more than 90% of their enrolled classes collectively. The statewide consistent attendance rate was 74.5%.

The Marshall school district as a whole had a 91.7% consistent attendance rate.

Minneota reported a 97.6% graduation rate, accounting for 40 students, a slight difference in the district’s typical 100% rate over the past few years.

“Our goal each year is to graduate 100% of our students, which we were able to do for several years in a row,” Minneota superintendent Scott Monson said. “With the class of 2024, there was one student who was enrolled in our district for a short period of time, six or seven weeks, and then moved away. Since no educational records were ever requested from us by another district, we had to code that student as a drop-out, and that meant that our graduation rate was impacted.”

Minneota reported a 92.1% consistent attendance rate.

Tracy Area Public School also saw a near 2% increase in its graduation rate, climbing from 87.7% in 2023 with 57 graduates, to 89.8% last year with 44.

“That’s a reflection of the type of school community we have here in Tracy. We focus heavily on relationships, early interventions and student-centered education,” Tracy principal Tony Miller said. “When students know they’re seen, supported, and expected to succeed, they tend to rise to that challenge. A smaller class just happened to be the makeup of this cohort, but the quality of support didn’t change.”

The Tracy Area Public School District held a 78.4% consistent attendance rate.

“Our consistent attendance rate of 78.4%, above the state average, is another sign that our students feel connected to their school. Our staff, office team and support staff all work hard to track patterns and address concerns early,” Miller said. “We are looking at ways to deepen engagement in the classroom and explore strategies that remove attendance barriers, such as transportation or scheduling flexibility.”

Lakeview reached its highest graduation rate over the past several years, graduating 100% of its senior class with 44 students, a significant increase from its 92.9% rate in 2023.

“We are very excited about the 100% graduation rate last year … Even if our students are not able to graduate on time, which would reflect in the percentage, we work with them over the summer following their senior year and they are often able to earn their diploma,” Lakeview superintendent Chris Fenske said. “We take pride in working to get our kids to graduate, as it is such an important step in their future.”

Lakeview also reported an 85.8% consistent attendance rate for the entire student body.

In other area schools, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton had a 96.5% graduation rate with 55 students, a jump from 2023’s 90.5% rate, with an 88.2% consistent attendance mark.

Canby had a 90.9% graduation rate with 40 students and an 88.5% attendance rate, and Murray County Central reported a 93.8% graduation rate with an 89.4% attendance rate.

“The students of the Class of 2024 worked hard and overcame challenges to achieve this milestone,” MDE Commissioner Willie Jett said in a release. “We work to make sure every student, of every background, zip code, and ability has access to a world-class education. I am also grateful for the educators, families and communities who stood behind these graduates and supported their needs and encouraged their successes.”

Students are currently in the early stages of statewide spring testing in math, reading and science, with school and state results expected to be released in the early fall.