Graduation rates for the entirety of Duval County, including charter schools, reached 94.3% in the 2024-25 school year, rising by 3.4 percentage points from 2023-24.

DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. — Duval County’s graduation rates for traditional high schools surged in 2025 to 97.6%, exceeding statewide achievements that education officials celebrated January 13 as historic.

Graduation rates for the entire Duval school district, which included charter schools, reached 94.3% in the 2024-25 school year, topping the statewide level of 92.2% and rising by 3.4 percentage points from 2023-24.

The scores continued generational changes that raised the county’s graduation rate by more than 30 percentage points since 2011.

“Consistent, steady growth doesn’t happen by accident,” Superintendent Christopher Bernier said in emailed remarks that underscored the importance of cumulative progress. “These results reflect intentional, dedicated work from all of Team Duval — from our pre-kindergarten teachers to our high school counselors. It’s the daily, patient, behind-the-scenes efforts of our teachers, counselors, administrators, students, and families that lead to big results. This is how Duval delivers.”

Six of the 21 traditional high schools had 100% graduation rates, and all reached at least 90%, the school district said.

A release from the school district touted “record-breaking results districtwide,” breaking out rates for sub-populations that showed rates above 90% for white, Black, Hispanic and Asian students as well as for students with disabilities, receiving free or reduced-cost lunch and “English language learners” whose first language was something else.

The Duval district rate trailed that of St. Johns (97.1%) and Clay (95%) counties but topped rates for Nassau (92.3%) and Baker (83.5%) counties, according to data from the Florida Department of Education.

State education officials hailed Florida’s overall 92.2% rate as the highest in state history, passing credit up the food chain.

“Florida’s historic graduation rate reflects the power of Governor DeSantis’ strong leadership, clear expectations, and unwavering commitment to student success,” Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas said in his own emailed comments. “These achievements demonstrate what can be accomplished when we uphold rigorous standards, provide robust support to schools and prepare every student for success beyond graduation.”

Editor’s note: This story was first published by our news partners, The Florida Times-Union.