Indiana's 2024 graduation rate hits record high, but disparities persist

Indiana’s high school graduation rate reached a record high of 90.23% with the Class of 2024, inching past the previous peak of 90.06% set in 2014. The increase continues a rebound from the decade-low rate in 2022. However, significant disparities persist among racial, economic, and special education groups.

“Over the past year, we have celebrated a number of successes in K-12 education, and there is urgency to continue this positive momentum for Indiana students,” Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education, said in a statement Monday. “As a state, we have seen literacy rates increase for the third consecutive year, chronic absenteeism rates improve for the second year in a row, and today, the highest state graduation rate on record.”

The 2024 rate represents the highest graduation rate since the state began publishing data, according to the Indiana Department of Education. 

Racial and economic gaps remain

Despite progress across all demographics, disparities persist. Graduation rates for Black and Hispanic students, at 83.88% and 87.83% respectively in 2024, remain below the overall state average of 90.23%. While both groups saw slight gains from last year, they still lag behind White students, whose graduation rate rose to nearly 92%, an increase of a percentage point.

Students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds showed improvement but continue to face challenges. Among students receiving free or reduced-price meals, the graduation rate rose by 2.78 percentage points to 91.52%, exceeding the overall state average. However, these gains still lag behind students who pay for meals and graduated at 93.06% percent rate.
 

Other notable gains

Other subgroups also experienced growth in graduation rates compared to 2023:

• English learners: Increased from 87.72% to 89.48% in 2024 — an increase of 1.76 percentage points.

• Students in special education: Increased from 83.24% to 85.30% in 2024 — a gain of 2.06 percentage points.

The non-waiver graduation rate improved in 2024, rising to 87.53% from 84.92% in 2023. This rate reflects students meeting postsecondary-readiness requirements without needing exceptions. Concerns have long been expressed by lawmakers and education advocates regarding waiver diplomas, emphasizing that an excessive reliance on them could result in graduates being ill-prepared for employment or further education.

At more than 70 high schools, there was a difference of at least 5 percentage points between the number of students who earned a diploma with a waiver and those who fully met all graduation requirements.

Public, charter, and private diploma rates

Non-public schools graduated students at an overall rate of 92.3%, slightly higher than the public rate of 90.11%. At traditional public schools, 92.48% of students graduated. The state data for public charter schools shows 58.6% of students earned diplomas. The rate includes virtual schools and at least 17 charter high schools for adults who dropped out of school or have a GED to earn a Core 40 diploma.

Changes ahead

The record-high graduation rate comes as the local educators and state officials continue to address numerous challenges, including efforts to improve elementary literacy rates and reduce absenteeism. 

“Together, we must continue to keep our foot on the gas pedal in 2025, ensuring we keep improving our education system in Indiana and increasing opportunities for students,” Jenner said.

In December, the State Board of Education approved new high school diploma and graduation requirements designed to emphasize work-based learning and apprenticeships. These changes will take effect with Indiana’s Class of 2029.
 

Eric Weddle is WFYI's education team editor. Contact Eric at eweddle@wfyi.org or follow him on X at @ericweddle.