Native Students Hit 79% Graduation Rate, Up From 51%

Native American students are graduating high school at historic rates, proving that focused reforms can transform entire education systems.

The Bureau of Indian Education announced its graduation rate hit 79% in 2025, up from just 51% a decade ago. The gains continue climbing even as national student outcomes have fallen since the pandemic.

The bureau serves more than 400,000 American Indian and Alaska Native students through direct programs and funding. Director Tony L. Dearman credits clear expectations, stronger accountability, and giving schools the right tools to support every student.

The numbers tell a story beyond graduation rates. Math proficiency jumped 9% since 2016, while English language arts scores rose 10%. These improvements stem from system-wide changes that started nearly a decade ago.

Schools now use real-time data dashboards and digital resources that help teachers spot struggling students early. Educators meet regularly in Professional Learning Communities to review results, share strategies, and hold each other accountable for student progress.

Teacher training got a major upgrade too. Professional development now focuses on reading data and turning those insights into classroom action. Coaches provide ongoing support to help teachers apply what they learn.

Parents and tribal communities can track progress through improved school report cards and performance reports. The transparency strengthens trust and keeps everyone focused on what matters most.

The Ripple Effect

These graduates are heading into college and careers better prepared than ever before. That means stronger future leadership for tribal communities and more Native professionals entering the workforce.

The improvements required patience and consistency. Modernizing outdated systems, training hundreds of educators, and building accountability measures took years of steady effort. But the approach worked precisely because it focused on sustainable change rather than quick fixes.

Schools can now identify which students need extra help in September instead of waiting until spring. Teachers share lesson plans and strategies that work. Families get clear information about how their children are doing.

The gains matter beyond test scores and diplomas. Every additional graduate represents a young person with expanded opportunities and a community gaining a prepared future leader.

As schools build on this momentum, the focus remains on maintaining strong instruction and collaborating with tribes and families. Success at this scale shows that education systems can improve dramatically when everyone commits to putting students first.