Louisiana high school graduation rate increased slightly in 2023, new data shows

A slightly larger share of Louisiana students graduated high school in 2023 than the year before, bringing the state’s overall graduation rate to 83.2%, state data shows. 

That statewide rate is half a percentage point higher than the previous year, when 82.7% of the class of 2022 graduated. Students with disabilities saw a larger graduation rate increase, with 77.7% earning diplomas in 2023 — up 1.6 percentage points from a year earlier.

The statewide graduation rate in 2023 trails the percentage in 2020, when 84% of high school seniors earned diplomas after the state waived its requirement that students pass an exit exam to graduate.

In a statement Wednesday, Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley praised educators and parents for the increase but noted that the state’s education leaders still have their work cut out for them. 

“Even as we recognize this upward trend, we must remain focused on our true goal of ensuring all students graduate ready for a career, college or service,” he said. “I look forward to our continued work of adding increased value to a Louisiana diploma.” 

In total, 40,930 Louisiana students graduated high school at the end of the 2022-23 school year, an increase of about 280 students from the previous year.

Louisiana Department of Education spokesman Ted Beasley said the state’s graduation data typically lags a year behind, which is why the 2023 rate is being released now. The one-year lag time in releasing the data will be eliminated after Louisiana adopts a new school-rating system next year, Beasley said.