On Time High School Graduation

During the 2021-2022 school year, 87.1% of students in King County graduated high school within 4 years. To graduate from high school in Washington State, students must complete a minimum number of course credits in specified topics; pass tests including the Smarter Balanced tests, end-of-course exams, and more; and complete a High School and Beyond Plan. Those who graduate with their class 4 years after beginning 9th grade are considered as graduating on time.  

However, Black, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander students were less likely to graduate from high school on time compared to the King County average. The likelihood of graduating on time was even lower for English language learners, students experiencing homelessness, and students from migrant families.  

• Race and ethnicity: Asian (93.1%) and White (89.9%) students were more likely than average to graduate on time, while American Indian/Alaska Native (68.2%), Black (83.3%), Hispanic (77.0%), and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (78.0%) students were less likely to graduate on time than the King County average (87.1%).   

• English language learners: 69.9% of English language learners graduated high school on time, 17.2% fewer than the King County average.   

• Income: 78.9% of students who received free and reduced price meals, often used as a marker of low income, graduated on time.   

• Homelessness: Only 60.4% of students experiencing homelessness graduated on time, 26.7% less than the King County average.   

• Foster care: 60.2% of students in foster care graduated on time. 

• Migrant: 65.1% of students from migrant families graduated on time.   

• Special education and ability: 70.0%% percent of students who received special education services graduated on time. Among those receiving Section 504 services for students with disabilities however, 88.2% graduated on time, higher than the county average (87.1%).   

• School district: Graduation rates ranged from 83.0% in the Renton School District to 96.9% in the Issaquah School District.   

• Trends: Overall, on-time graduation rates increased by 8.1% in recent years, rising from 79.0% in 2014 to 87.1% in 2022. The increase over this time period was greater among Black (17.5%), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (16.1%), and Hispanic (15.3%) students.  The on-time graduation rate increased from 41.2% to 60.4% among students experiencing homelessness. Among school districts, the Tukwila and Highline districts each improved their graduation rates by over 20% from 2014 to 2022.   

• Gender: Female students in King County had an on-time graduation rate of 89.3% in 2022, higher than the county average. In the same year, 85.8% of male students graduated on time. Only 41.3% of students using the X gender marker graduated on time, substantially lower than the county average. While the X gender marker is a relatively new option in Washington’s student data system, we will continue to monitor these data with the understanding that students often face discrimination and challenges in school based on gender expression and identity.

  Additional data related to education:   

• Adults in King County without a high school diploma   

• Adults in King County without a bachelor’s degree   

• Third grade reading performance  

• Fourth grade math performance  

• Absenteeism   

• Suspension and expulsion  

• Kindergarten readiness   

Additional data about kindergarten through 12th grade education in Washington is available through the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.