DPSCD Demonstrates Strong Graduation Rate Improvement 

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) released high school graduation rates for the 2021-2022 school year showing Detroit Public School Community District (DPSCD) increased by 6.5 percentage points from 64.5% to 71.1%. The District’s increase outpaced the state’s, which improved by 0.5 percentage points to 81%. DPSCD’s 4-year dropout rate also declined by 0.6% from 14.5% to 13.8%. The State’s 4-year dropout increased by 0.5% from 7.7% to 8.2%.   

“The improvement in graduation rates is a testament to our continued commitment to improve the high school experience for our students. Although we still have a lot of work to do in this area, I am proud of the strategic and intentional work of our high school district team, high school principals, and their staff. The course recovery work, especially as a product of the pandemic, has been grueling for staff and students but everyone refused to make excuses and our students benefited by graduating in four years. DPSCD’s stock is rising and will continue to rise in this post-pandemic period and our students will be the most rewarded due to that improvement,” said Dr. Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent, DPSCD.  

The District’s improvement in graduation rate was experienced across the District’s high schools with 20 of 23 (87%) of schools demonstrating improvement. Among DPSCD high schools highest improvement in graduation rates include:   

• • West Side Academy: +25.6 % Points  
  • Mumford High School: +21.1 % Points  
  • Denby High School: +16.2 % Points  
  • Central High School: +15.2 % Points  
  • Academy of the Americas High School: +11.3 % Points  

“Graduation rates are one of our most important Strategic Plan metrics. Despite the challenges related to the pandemic it is encouraging to see the District return its focus on reform and make improvement in this area considering it’s directly related to our students being better prepared for college and or a career,” said Angelique Peterson-Mayberry, DPSCD Board Chair.  

The District has been discussing its challenges with graduation rates over the years. DPSCD’s initial rates were inflated due to the state’s “cleaning” of former DPS students who had dropped out and not enrolled in DPSCD schools. DPSCD’s rate was then later impacted by former Education Achievement Authority (EAA) neighborhood high schools returning to the District. The two neighborhood high schools not showing improvement, Cody and Pershing High Schools, had leadership changes last year and are expected to show improvement this year.  

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