More high school students in Albuquerque are crossing the graduation stage. New data from Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) show that graduation numbers rose for the Class of 2025.
APS saw a nearly one percent point increase in its graduation rate. Twelve of the district’s 20 high schools reported gains, with Freedom, Rio Grande, and West Mesa high schools leading the largest improvements.
APS posted a 76.8% combined graduation rate for the Class of 2025. This notes an increase of 0.9 percentage points from the Class of 2024. The rate does not include charter schools because APS has limited academic control over them.
“We’re happy that our graduation rate continues to improve but know there’s still more work to be done,” said APS Superintendent Gabriella Blakey. She said community partnership is essential to reimagine the high school experience and make it more engaging for students.
The New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) released graduation rates Friday. NMPED showed the statewide rate for the Class of 2025 reached 80.6%. This rate is 2.4 percentage points higher than the Class of 2024.
Two Albuquerque High Schools No Longer in MRI Status
The NMPED highlighted eight schools that have exited school improvement status. This includes Rio Grande High School and Highland High School, which left the More Rigorous Intervention (MRI) status after sustaining gains in graduation rates.
Rio Grande High posted a 74.1% graduation rate, an improvement of 5.5 percentage points. Highland High’s graduation rate was 67.8%, a 1.7 percentage point increase over the prior year.
The agency called it “a significant turnaround following years of focused improvement supported by stronger instructional leadership and targeted PED coaching and monitoring.”
APS graduation rates have steadily increased each year since the 2021-2022 school year. The district has gained a total of 6.5 percentage points, excluding charter schools. This increase represents a return to pre-pandemic graduation rates.
APS Reports Graduation Improvements for Class of 2025
All racial and ethnic student groups saw increases. Native students gained 6.6 percentage points–the largest increase recorded among all reported groups. African American students followed with a 4.5 point increase.
Graduation rates for economically disadvantaged students increased by 7.6 percentage points–the largest one-year increase among all reported student groups. English learners experienced a one-year increase of 5.4%, while special education students experienced a one-year increase of 5.6%.
At the school level, 12 high schools showed an increase in graduation rates. Increases ranged from 0.5 to 7.9 percentage points.
Among APS comprehensive high schools, La Cueva posted the highest graduation rate. At least 89.5% of its students graduated, a 1.7 percentage point decrease from the class of 2024. West Mesa High school increased its graduation rate by 4.8 percentage points, with 70.7% of its students graduating.
Among APS schools of choice, nex+Gen Academy led with 90.8% graduation rate, up 3.7 percentage points. Freedom High School raised its graduation rate by 7.9 percentage points.
APS reports 2025 graduation rates by high school, showing each school’s percentage point increase or decrease:
- Albuquerque High 77.2% (+2)
- Atrisco Heritage Academy 81% (+1.3)
- Cibola High 78.1% (+1.4%)
- College and Career 90.2% (-5.5)
- Del Norte High 69.5% (+3.9)
- Early College Academy 90.6% (-7.9)
- Ecademy 55.8% (-2.6)
- Eldorado High 83.1% (+2.1)
- Freedom High 29.4% (+7.9)
- Highland High 67.8% (+1.7)
- La Cueva High 89.5% (-1.7)
- Manzano High 67.7% (+3.6)
- Nex+Gen Academy 90.8% (+3.7)
- Rio Grande High 74.1% (+5.5)
- Sandia High 82.8% (+0.5)
- Valley High 73.8% (-0.6)
- Volcano Vista High 87.2% (-2)
- West Mesa High 70.7% (+4.8)