IJ Holton News

Austin Public Schools has increased its 4-year graduation rate to 80.6%, a 5.6-percentage-point gain from the previous year, outpacing the statewide increase of 0.7%. This marks one of the strongest year-over-year increases in recent years for the district. After a period of disruption earlier in the decade, the district has regained momentum. Graduation outcomes don’t change overnight; this reflects sustained work over time.

What’s Driving the Improvement

Austin Public Schools have focused on strengthening student success earlier in the system and supporting key transitions into high school.

At Austin High School:

• The 2025 graduating cohort, as freshmen in 2021–2022, had a failure rate of nearly 15%
• Current freshmen are at approximately 6%

Fewer students are progressing through high school off track, which increases the likelihood of graduating on time.

This work is not isolated. It reflects coordinated system efforts:

• 9th Grade Seminar:  builds organization, planning, and goal-setting skills
• BARR (Building Assets, Reducing Risks) framework: strengthens relationships and uses real-time student data
• Achievement & Integration plan: aligns engagement, instruction, and student support

Superintendent Page stated, “We’re seeing real progress, and that matters. This reflects the work our staff is doing every day in classrooms and across our schools. At the same time, the system improvements we’ve put in place, especially in the earlier grades, are still working their way through the system. That’s where we expect to see continued gains. We’re going to stay focused and keep building on this momentum, so every student is prepared for what comes next.”

Aligned Work Across the District

This progress reflects a broader commitment across Austin Public Schools to strengthen learning, relationships, and student engagement.

Schools are continuing to:

• Connect learning to real-world experiences and future pathways
• Build strong, consistent relationships between students and staff
• Expand supports that keep students engaged and on track
• Strengthen partnerships with families and the community

What Comes Next

Austin Public Schools will continue to focus on a system-wide approach to student success:

• Strengthening early learning and elementary foundations so students build the skills and habits needed for long-term success
• Advancing district-wide literacy work and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to identify and address learning gaps early, implement interventions, and keep more students on track for graduation
• Continue supporting key transition points, especially into middle school and high school, so more students stay on track
• Expanding connections between classroom learning and future opportunities, helping students see purpose in their work
• Improving student attendance through consistent expectations, strong relationships, and targeted supports, recognizing that being present every day is foundational to student success
• Building on practices that are showing positive impact for students across the system

Austin Public Schools remain committed to inspiring, empowering, and accelerating every learner to make a difference in the world. More students graduating on time means more students leaving our system prepared for what comes next, and that’s the outcome we’re focused on.