FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2025

Providence, RI — The Providence Public School District (PPSD) is proud to announce a milestone: the district's four-year graduation rate has climbed to 79.4%, marking its highest level in over a decade and narrowing the gap with the statewide average to less than 5 percentage points.

This 2.6 percentage-point increase from 2023 not only reflects a steady upward trend but also signals progress in the district’s long-term efforts to improve academic outcomes and increase postsecondary readiness for all students. The gains were particularly strong among historically underserved groups:

• Multilingual Learners (MLLs) saw a 9.3 percentage-point increase, rising from 66.2% to 75.5%.

• Students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds (FRL) improved by 2.4 points, essentially closing the graduation equity gap with their peers.

• Six-year graduation rates for students with disabilities improved to 76.6%, exceeding the state average of 71.9%.

• We have closed the graduation gaps between White, Black, and Hispanic students, with Black students graduating at 82.7% and Hispanic students at 79.5%.

“This is more than a statistic—it’s a sign that the work we’ve been doing in schools is taking root,” said Dr. Javier Montanez, Superintendent of Providence Public Schools. “We’re seeing the impact of dedicated educators, expanded support systems, and high expectations for every student. ”

“The latest graduation rates for Providence Public Schools demonstrate that there is momentum but our job is not finished,” said Commissioner Infante-Green. “We have worked diligently to improve the high school experience and ensure students have access to the resources and support needed for post-secondary success. We remain committed to working with PPSD leaders to continue to move in the right direction.”

Five of the ten high schools across the state with the most significant improvements in graduation rates were in PPSD. The progress was felt across the city, with JSEC leading the way—achieving the highest graduation rate gain in the state with a 13.1 percentage-point increase. Other standout schools include:

• Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School (+8.1)

• Mt. Pleasant High School (+4.7)

• PCTA (+4.0)

Meanwhile, the district’s dropout rate continues to decline, falling from a pandemic-era high of 14.0% in 2021–22 to 11.2% in 2023–24, now below pre-pandemic levels.

“We still have work to do,” added Dr. Javier Montanez. “But this year’s results confirm what’s possible when we focus on equity, build strong school cultures, and support every student to the finish line.”