The Colorado Department of Education released new data today, revealing a record-setting graduation rate for District 51 (D51). With an 83% graduation rate for 2024, the district celebrates its highest achievement yet, signaling substantial progress.
Milestones Worth Celebrating
District 51 Superintendent Bryan Hill expressed pride in the district’s accomplishments. “Every year there’s been something to celebrate, and I’m super proud and honored to serve this district along with my staff,” Hill said. This marks a steady climb from last year’s record of 81%.
Hill attributed the continued improvement to the district’s three-year strategic plan, which integrates academic goals with mental health, wellbeing, and community involvement. “We’ve really tried to stick with our district-wide strategic plan,” Hill explained. “It’s all about combining efforts to ensure we’re celebrating milestones like today, recognizing all the students who’ve graduated from our high schools.”
Minority Students Lead the Growth
While the district overall saw a 2% increase in its graduation rate compared to last year, minority groups within the district showcased remarkable progress:
- Students identifying as Two or More Races: 73.7% in 2023 to 87.7% in 2024.
- Hispanic students: 76.1% in 2023 to 79% in 2024.
- African American students: 50% in 2023 to 72.7% in 2024.
- Asian students: 66.7% in 2023 to 94.4% in 2024.
This focus on equitable education has led to significant achievements for historically underrepresented groups. Hill emphasized, “Breaking down data into our different subgroups and populations, and ensuring no one falls through the cracks, has been key. We still have work to do, but we celebrate these gains.”
Dropout Rates Decline
Another bright spot in the data is D51’s decreasing dropout rate, which fell from 2.2% in 2023 to 1.8% in 2024, putting the district below the state average.
Additionally, the district’s alternative high school, R5, saw notable progress, with a 7.9% increase in its graduation rate. This achievement highlights the district’s commitment to providing opportunities for all students, regardless of their educational path.
Preparing for the Future
The data also points to an increasing number of students taking advantage of concurrent enrollment and post-secondary opportunities. This shift is expected to pave the way for higher education and career readiness among graduates.
Hill acknowledged the progress but maintained that the work is far from over. “We’re excited to celebrate this achievement, but we’re continually finding ways to push our graduation rates even higher,” he said.
