Parkway Schools Hit 95.8% Graduation Rate

Parkway School District in Missouri just delivered an inspiring annual report that shows what's possible when educators refuse to give up on students.

The district announced a four-year graduation rate of 95.8%, well above state averages. That means nearly every student who started high school crossed the finish line with a diploma in hand.

But the good news doesn't stop there. Nearly 80% of the class of 2024 earned what the district calls a "market-value asset" before graduation. These include college credits through AP courses, dual-credit programs, qualifying test scores, or career credentials that give students a real head start.

Attendance numbers also climbed, with 88.5% of students attending at least 90% of school days. That's a strong sign that students want to be in their classrooms and feel connected to their learning.

District leaders presented these wins during their December 10 board meeting as part of their annual Comprehensive School Improvement Plan update. Carter Snow and Dr. Holman Best shared how the district uses multiple assessment measures to track student progress in reading and math, consistently outperforming state targets across several grade levels.

The team didn't shy away from challenges either. They acknowledged persistent achievement gaps for Black students, those receiving free or reduced lunch, and students with special education plans. Instead of ignoring these disparities, Parkway is tackling them head-on with expanded professional development, social-emotional learning programs, and a multi-tiered system of supports designed to meet every student where they are.

The Ripple Effect

When a school district gets this much right, entire communities benefit. Those 79.2% of graduates with market-value assets are entering college or careers already ahead of the game. Families save money on college tuition when students earn credits in high school. Local businesses gain access to better-prepared workers who arrive with real credentials and skills.

The district's participation in the Success Ready Student Network shows they're not content to rest on their achievements. They're piloting new assessment approaches and refining their strategies to close those remaining gaps. Board members asked detailed questions about alternative programs and timeline expectations, demonstrating accountability at every level.

Every percentage point in that 95.8% graduation rate represents a real young person who stayed the course, supported by teachers and administrators who believed in them.