Newport News Public Schools’ graduation rate increased to more than 95 percent with the Class of 2022.

The school division’s on-time graduation rate increased from 94.5 percent in 2021 and has increased significantly from to nearly 73 percent in 2008. During the same period, the dropout rate decreased from 12 percent to less than 1 percent in 2022 according to data posted by the Virginia Department of Education.

The Class of 2022 faced the unexpected closure of schools during their sophomore year, successfully adapted to virtual and hybrid learning in their junior year, and persevered to complete their graduation requirements on time in four years.

NNPS’ on-time graduation rate is higher than the state average of 92.1 percent and the NNPS dropout rate is lower than the state average of 5.2 percent. The school division’s overall student completion rate, which includes students who have earned a diploma or a GED in four years, is 97.5 percent.

The Class of 2022 was accepted into 120 colleges, universities and military academies and earned more than $55 million in scholarships and academic awards. Forty-five percent of the Class of 2022 graduated with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and the graduates earned over 2,000 industry and career certifications.

“I am extremely proud of the Class of 2022. They are testaments to hard work, dedication and perseverance. They have truly shown us what it means to be college, career and citizen-ready,” said Dr. George Parker, Superintendent of Newport News Public Schools. “I am also grateful to our teachers and staff. They work diligently every day to ensure that all students graduate on time equipped with the skills and tools they need for successful futures.”

The on-time graduation rate monitors a cohort of high school students entering ninth grade and assesses the graduation and dropout rates of these students four years later. The 2022 on-time graduation and dropout rates monitored students who entered ninth grade in the 2018-2019 school year. Seventeen students in the cohort are still enrolled in school, giving them an opportunity to complete graduation requirements during the 2022-2023 school year.