Metro Nashville Public Schools breaks graduation rate record
Glencliff High School (Photo by MNPS)
New data from Metro Nashville Public Schools says the district has achieved a 4.5 percentage point year-over-year growth in the district's graduation rate, bringing it to 85.7 percent for the 2023-24 cohort.
According to a Thursday news release emailed to Tennessee Firefly, the data marks the highest graduation rate for MNPS since data tracking began in 2002, which district leaders said highlights the district’s commitment to several initiatives aimed at boosting student performance.
“Ensuring that every student is known means giving each student the opportunity to learn, grow, and achieve their full potential while at MNPS,” Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle said in the announcement. “Over the past few years, we’ve been intentional in creating pathways for lifelong success, equipping students with clear transition plans and the support needed to fulfill their dreams. This focused commitment is reflected in our record-breaking graduation rate, which represents the hard work of our students, educators, and the entire MNPS community.”
The district announcement noted that MNPS Academies of Nashville high schools, Maplewood and Glencliff, saw “outstanding growth in their year-over-year graduation rates,” with gains of more than 10 percentage points. Five other schools – Hunters Lane, Antioch, Overton, Pearl-Cohn, and McGavock – each saw improvements exceeding five percentage points. In addition, the announcement said, three MNPS optional schools achieved a 100 percent graduation rate: Early College High School, Nashville Big Picture High School, and the MNPS Virtual School.
The announcement added that the Academy at Opry Mills and the Academy at Old Cockrill, both part of the district’s Simon Youth Academies Program, posted gains of 17 and 15.1 percentage points respectively. It said these specialized academies aim to provide alternative pathways for students who might otherwise face barriers to graduation.
“The record graduation rates at MNPS underscore the impact of strategic investments in college and career readiness that meet Nashville’s growing workforce needs,” Ralph Schulz, president and CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, said in a public statement. “Programs like University MNPS and New Skills Ready Nashville are essential in preparing students for high-demand career paths, and these record outcomes show how partnerships can provide the opportunities that empower students and drive our region’s economic strength.”
The announcement added that the success of the district in recent years is further bolstered by strategic initiatives funded through Metro Nashville and federal ESSER programs, which has allowed MNPS to “implement evidence-based instructional materials, social-emotional learning tools, and professional development that directly support academic achievement.”
“This achievement is a testament to the incredible efforts of our students, teachers, and support staff,” Mayor Freddie O'Connell said of the MNPS data. “It reflects Nashville’s commitment to fostering a strong foundation for lifelong success, with each graduating student contributing to a brighter, more resilient future for our city. MNPS’s focus on equity and opportunity, especially through initiatives like University MNPS, empowers our youth with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in college and beyond.”
The improvements in Nashville mirror statewide graduation improvements. Tennessee’s 92.1 percent graduation rate in the 2023-24 school year broke the state’s previous record set in the 2022-23 school year at 90.6 percent.
