CARSON CITY, Nev. – Nevada high schools posted their highest graduation rate ever at 83.17 percent for the Class of 2018 – an increase of 2.32 percentage points. Detailed graduation data can be accessed at NevadaReportCard.com.

“The continued growth in our graduation rate is another solid indicator that our schools are going in the right direction and Nevada is on pace to be the fastest improving state in the nation,” said Steve Canavero, Ph.D., Superintendent of Public Instruction. “During the past year, we have seen student performance rise on our ACT and Smarter Balanced assessments. We also saw 17 schools move into the three-to-five star ratings.”
The Mineral County School District saw the greatest graduation gain, rising 4.91 percentage points to 89.29 percent. The State Public Charter School Authority (SPCSA) saw an increase of 4.75 points. Storey, Elko and Lincoln all improved more than 3 points. Clark, Nevada’s largest district, increased 2 points to 85.22 percent.
All but three school districts increased their graduation rates from last year:

• Churchill increased 2.72 points to 75.98 percent;
• Clark increased 2 points to 85.22 percent;
• Douglas increased 1.24 points to 88.77 percent;
• Elko increased 3.33 points to 91.82 percent;
• Eureka remained at 100 percent;
• Humboldt increased 1.13 points to 90.63 percent;
• Lander decreased 5.47 points to 86.84 percent;
• Lincoln increased 3.33 points to 89.41 percent;
• Lyon increased 1.17 points to 84.76 percent;
• Mineral increased 4.91 points to 89.29 percent;
• Nye increased 0.69 points to 80 percent;
• Carson City increased 2.05 points to 85.98 percent;
• Pershing decreased 3.70 points to 96.30 percent;
• Storey increased 3.49 points to 94.12 percent;
• Washoe increased 0.37 points to 84.39 percent;
• White Pine decreased 3.05 points to 66.87 percent;
• SPCSA increased 4.75 points to 70.03 percent;
• University remained at 100 percent;
• The Achievement School District provided first time data at 87.50 percent;
• Independence High School provided first time data at 40 percent.

This graduation data reflects, for the first time, the College and Career Ready (CCR) High School Diploma that was created by the 2017 Legislature. The new CCR Diploma includes both a college-ready and career-ready endorsement. The college-ready endorsement reflects the work of students who have completed certain coursework or obtained experience that makes them qualified for, and prepared to succeed in, college without the need for remediation. The career-ready endorsement reflects the work of students who have completed certain coursework or obtained certain experience that makes them qualified for, and prepared to succeed in, post-secondary education or job training in high-demand occupations.

This is the eighth year Nevada has calculated the graduation rate using the adjusted cohort rate, which is required by the U.S. Department of Education. The four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate defines the cohort based on when a student enters the ninth grade; it is calculated using the number of students who graduate within four years and includes adjustments for transfer out students. While all states are calculating the graduation rate using the same formula, each state still sets its own requirements for students to earn a diploma.