TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey schools reported gains in graduation rates, dual enrollment participation and career readiness indicators during the 2024-2025 school year, according to data released by the New Jersey Department of Education.
State officials also reported declines in chronic absenteeism and disciplinary incidents compared with recent years.
“We’re seeing a sure and steady march toward improvement in many areas,” said Dr. Lily Laux, Commissioner of Education. “To be clear, educators universally strive for continual improvement in our schools, and our work is never done. Still, it’s reassuring that the data shows gains in a number of key benchmarks, and this helps shape a positive narrative of what is taking place in New Jersey schools.”
According to the department, New Jersey’s statewide graduation rate reached an all-time high of 91.8% in 2025, up from 90.9% four years earlier.
Officials said graduation rates also improved among students with disabilities, increasing from 79% in 2021 to 82.4% in 2025. Graduation rates among economically disadvantaged students rose from 84.8% to 88.9% during the same period.
The department also reported significant growth in the number of students earning the Seal of Biliteracy, which recognizes graduates proficient in English and at least one additional language.
A total of 12,644 seniors earned the designation during the 2024-2025 school year, representing an increase of 155% over four years, according to the state.
Officials said 12,741 students earned industry-valued credentials or certifications tied to workforce demand, a 244% increase from four years earlier.
Participation in dual enrollment programs also increased, with 30% of 11th and 12th grade students taking college-level courses while still in high school, compared with 22.3% four years ago.
The department noted New Jersey ranks first nationally in Advanced Placement course offerings, with 93.5% of public high schools offering at least one AP course and 86.2% offering five or more.
State officials also said New Jersey now ranks sixth nationally for 10-year growth in AP exam participation among Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino students.
The report showed New Jersey’s chronic absenteeism rate declined to 14.4% in 2024-2025, remaining below the estimated national average of 22%.
However, officials noted absenteeism rates have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, when the state recorded a rate of 10.6% in the 2018-2019 school year.
Schools also reported 56,564 in-school and out-of-school suspensions during the school year, along with 29,829 incidents involving violence, vandalism, substance abuse and harassment, intimidation or bullying.
The New Jersey Department of Education said updated School Performance Reports with school-level and district-level data are expected to be released online in the coming weeks.
