CCSD sees graduation rate boost for class of 2022

The Nevada Department of Education announced Thursday that the high school graduation rate for the class of 2022 was 81.7 percent.

That’s an increase compared with 81.3 percent in 2021, according to the department.

“These students have faced unprecedented challenges during their high school careers due to the pandemic,” said Jhone Ebert, state superintendent of public instruction, in a statement. “To see them rise above it all and graduate in higher numbers than in the previous year is so exciting.”

The Clark County School District was among eight of Nevada’s 17 school districts that posted an increase in graduation rates.

The district’s rate was 81.3 percent for the class of 2022 — up from 80.9 percent the previous year.

Students had a portion of their high school years affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The district operated under 100 percent distance education for about a year starting in spring 2020 before bringing students back for in-person classes.

“These results are a testament to the hard work of our teachers, support professionals and administrators throughout the pandemic to ensure our students received a high-quality education,” Superintendent Jesus Jara said in a statement Friday. “Our top priority is to ensure that all students graduate college and career ready. As we continue working to improve academic outcomes, we will see improved graduation rates as a result.”

In the statement, School Board President Irene Cepeda said: “CCSD has emerged from the pandemic with a plan to accelerate student learning and the increasing graduation rate is a sign that those efforts are working. I am extremely proud of the diligent work happening in our schools every day by our educators, which is showcased in the increase in graduation rate this year.”

Six high schools in the district had a 100 percent graduation rate: College of Southern Nevada High School East, College of Southern Nevada High School South, East Career and Technical Academy, Indian Springs High School, Northwest Career and Technical Academy, and Sandy Valley High School.

Another nine high schools had a graduation rate above 95 percent: Advanced Technologies Academy, College of Southern Nevada High School West, Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, Moapa Valley High School, Palo Verde High School, Southeast Career and Technical Academy, Southwest Career and Technical Academy, Veterans Tribute Career and Technical Academy, and West Career and Technical Academy.

Statewide, 36,918 students were included in the class of 2022. The vast majority of them — 25,212 — were enrolled in the Clark County School District, and it was the district’s largest-ever graduating class.

Across Nevada, the graduation rate increased for students who identify as:

—Hispanic/Latino, up 1 percentage point to 80.7 percent.

—Asian, up 0.28 percentage points to 93.1 percent.

—Pacific Islander, up 0.6 percentage points to 84.3 percent.

—White, up 1.1 percentage point to 86.1 percent.

The graduation rate dropped for students who identify as:

—Black, down 1.8 percentage points to 68.4 percent.

—American Indian/Alaska Native, down 3 percentage points to 69.1 percent.

—Two or more races, down 1.8 percentage points to 81.6 percent.

The state saw graduation rate gains among students who are:

—Experiencing poverty, up 2.5 percentage points to 81.5 percent.

—Dealing with a disability, up 1.4 percentage points to 65.9 percent.