How is graduation rate calculated in Tennessee?

Tennessee uses the 4-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. Students are tracked from 9th grade, and the rate is calculated as the number of students who graduate within 4 years divided by the number of students who entered 9th grade four years earlier, adjusted for transfers.

Tennessee Graduation Rates by School | Latest Updates on Tennessee Graduation Rates by School

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School	Grad Rate	Dropout	Ready Grad	Cohort	Trend
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Understanding Graduation Data

Tennessee measures high school success through three key metrics: the graduation rate (percentage of students who earn a diploma within 4 years), the dropout rate (percentage who leave school before graduation), and the Ready Graduate rate (percentage who demonstrate college or career readiness).

The statewide graduation rate of 92.3% means Tennessee ranks among the top states nationally. However, the Ready Graduate metric and dropout rate provide a more complete picture of whether students are truly succeeding.

🎓 Graduation Rate

The 4-year adjusted cohort graduation rate tracks students from 9th grade entry to graduation. It's adjusted for students who transfer in or out of the school.

⚠️ Dropout Rate

The dropout rate measures the percentage of students who leave high school before graduating. Lower rates indicate better student retention and support systems.

🎯 Ready Graduate

A Ready Graduate earns a diploma PLUS meets one readiness indicator: ACT 21+, 4 EPSOs, industry certification, or work-based learning completion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the graduation rate in Tennessee?

The statewide graduation rate in Tennessee for 2024-25 is 92.3%. This represents 69,124 graduates from a cohort of 74,865 students across all public high schools.

What is the dropout rate in Tennessee?

The statewide dropout rate in Tennessee for 2023-24 is 6.3%, representing 4,577 students who left high school before graduation. Dropout rates vary significantly by school and district.

What is a Ready Graduate in Tennessee?

A Ready Graduate is a Tennessee student who graduates high school and meets at least one college or career readiness indicator: ACT score of 21+, completing 4 early postsecondary courses (EPSOs), earning an industry certification, or completing a work-based learning experience.

How is graduation rate calculated?

Tennessee uses the 4-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. Students are tracked from 9th grade, and the rate is calculated as graduates divided by the starting cohort, adjusted for students who transfer in or out.

Why do some schools show ">99%" or suppressed data?

To protect student privacy, Tennessee suppresses data for small groups. Schools with very small cohorts may show ranges like ">95%" instead of exact percentages. Data marked with * or ** indicates the value is suppressed.