Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) continues #TrendingUp. The Tennessee Department of Education recently confirmed that the 2021-22 MSCS Graduation Rate is 80.1%. This is the District’s highest graduation rate since the 2013 merger of municipal and county schools. 

“Our TCAP scores are up, our cohort graduation rates are up, our number of students enrolled in AP and Honors courses are up! There is no doubt about it, our students and schools are trending up,” said Interim Superintendent and CFO Toni Williams. 

The cohort graduation rate tracks students who graduate on time with their classmates. This most recent rate represents an improvement of 2.4 percentage points over the previous year. Additionally, every student subgroup, including economically disadvantaged students and students with disabilities, earned a higher graduation rate in 2021-22 as compared to 2020-21. The state graduation rate also improved year over year from 88.7% to 89.8%.

Twelve schools earned a graduation rate of over 90%.

• Hollis F. Price Middle College High                  100.0%
• Memphis School of Excellence                        100.0%
• Middle College High                                         100.0%
• East High                                                           98.9%
• Germantown High                                              97.0%
• Memphis Academy of Science & Engineering   96.0%
• City University School of Liberal Arts                 95.3%
• Crosstown High                                                  95.2%
• Memphis Business Academy High                     94.5%
• Power Center Academy High                             94.4%
• White Station High                                              90.6%
• Whitehaven High                                                90.5%

MSCS employs several strategies to help high schoolers succeed. One key initiative is Project Graduation which allows students to earn course recovery or elective credits in the evening after their traditional school day is done. With the help of federal stimulus dollars, the District has also expanded its tutoring program and clerical support to high schools to better monitor student progress towards graduation. 

“Our strategic investments are paying off and contributing to the upward momentum,” said Dr. Angela Whitelaw, Deputy Superintendent of Academics. “While we know we have work left to do, we are so proud to celebrate our highest graduation rate since the merger! We’ll continue to praise and push– praise our hard working students and staff for their accomplishments and push our schools and District to new heights.”