Columbus City Schools said it had a record-high graduation rate among 2026 high schoolers as it works to ditch a one-star rating in state assessments.
According to a release, Superintendent Angela Chapman will present information to the board showing that 84.6% of students graduated within four years, up 3.2 percentage points from 2025's rate, higher than the Board’s 2026 goal of 81.2%. That rate reflects the highest on-time, four-year graduation rate on record since it was tracked in 2000.
The four-year graduation rate for the district that year was 59.9%, according to a district spokesman.
Chapman said the new graduation rate "is a huge sign of progress for Columbus City Schools and for our students."
“Our work across the district is making a difference,
but more work lies ahead," Chapman said. "Our focus remains on making sure more students stay on track, meet their graduation requirements, and earn the diplomas and credentials they need to succeed in life.”
Because the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce report cards' graduation component lags a year, the new graduation rate will not be reflected on the report card set to be released Sept. 15.
According to the district's internal projections, its weighted average for graduation on the for 2025 was 83.3%, and had a four-year graduation graduation rate of 81.5%. That means CCS is projected to earn one star on the graduation component of the report card.
The district would need a graduation rate over 84% to receive a second star in the category.
In March, the board voted to reduce the required credits to graduate to align with the state minimum, saying it will give students greater autonomy and choice. The new requirements did not apply to the graduating class of 2026 and begin in the current school year.
The new CCS graduation requirements, approved unanimously on March 31, moves the district's schools more closely aligned with the state standards, including moving the credit requirements down from 22 to 20 and other changes to its system.
Under the previous graduation system, CCS required 22 credits, including an academic elective and technology credit. The district also required 120 hours of an internship. Instead of making those features mandatory, they are now options for students to pursue under the state's new "seal" system for graduation.
Cole Behrens covers K-12 education and school districts in central Ohio. Have a tip? Contact Cole at cbehrens@dispatch.com or connect with him on X at @Colebehr_report
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Schools touts its best graduation rate since at least 2000
