South Dakota High School Graduation Rate Hits 14-Year High; Test Scores Show Mixed Trends
South Dakota's high school graduation rate reached an 88% high over 14 years in the 2025-26 school year, while test scores showed mixed results with English language arts proficiency declining and math proficiency slightly increasing.
Rapid City, SD, November 6, 2026 — South Dakota’s high school graduation rate has reached an 88% high, marking the highest point in the last 14 years for the 2025-26 school year. This achievement in student completion rates contrasts with mixed performance in standardized testing, according to recent data.
The statewide graduation rate signifies a positive trend in educational attainment, with nearly nine out of every ten students successfully completing their high school education within the specified academic year. This figure represents a significant milestone for the state’s educational system, reflecting sustained efforts in student support and curriculum development over more than a decade.
However, the overall picture is nuanced when examining student proficiency levels in core academic subjects. Data indicates a decline in English language arts proficiency among students. This decrease suggests potential areas for concern and further investigation into instructional methods, curriculum effectiveness, or external factors impacting language arts performance.
Conversely, the state has observed a slight increase in math proficiency. While modest, this upward trend in mathematics performance offers a counterpoint to the decline in English language arts, indicating varying degrees of success across different academic disciplines. The reasons behind this slight improvement in math skills are not detailed in the provided information.
The report for the 2025-26 school year highlights a divergence between graduation rates and specific academic skill levels. While a record number of students are graduating, the proficiency levels in English language arts are falling, and math proficiency is only seeing a marginal rise. Further analysis will be required to understand the underlying causes for these varied outcomes and to develop targeted strategies for improvement across all areas of academic achievement.
The contractor’s name, specific school districts involved, detailed methodologies for testing, or precise figures for proficiency changes were not provided in the summary. Additionally, information regarding the specific interventions or programs that may have contributed to the rise in graduation rates or the mixed test score results was not available.
Story summarized from the original created by KOTA Staff on www.kotatv.com, see more information here.
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