District 6 on-time graduation rate exceeds 90 percent

For the first time, the on-time graduation rate in Greeley-Evans School District 6 exceeds 90 percent, and beats the average state graduation rate by more than four percentage points.  

The 2025 graduation rates for Colorado school districts were released by the Colorado Department of Education today. The on-time graduation rate for District 6 is 90.1 percent, up from 87.3 percent in 2024, and exceeding the state average of 85.6 percent. A total of 1,608 students graduated from District 6 schools in 2025, up from 1,465 in 2024.

Reaching the 90 percent milestone is a goal in the District’s strategic plan, Innovation2030. The district has met the goal one year earlier than outlined in Innovation2030, which states by 2026, 90 percent of students will graduate on time.

In 2015, the District 6 on-time graduation rate was 76.9 percent. Since then, Superintendent Dr. Deirdre Pilch has helped lead the implementation of two strategic plans that make personalized learning, college and career readiness and high school graduation a top priority. 

“We know a high school diploma is essential for our students to reach their career and life goals,” said Superintendent Dr. Deirdre Pilch. “A diploma opens the door for opportunities including higher education, industry training, military service and a variety of careers and opportunities. Over the past decade, our educators, support staff and leaders have really honed in on what supports and interventions students need to graduate on time. We ultimately don’t want a single student to leave our system without a diploma. It’s a lofty goal, but that is what we are working toward.” 

Focusing on ninth grade student success, engaging students in extracurricular activities, making sure students have the academic and social/emotional supports they need, and having students engaged in career pathways are just some of the work District 6 schools are engaged in to ensure students graduate high school ready for their future. 

Here are a few of the highlights from this year’s District 6 graduation data:

• The on-time graduation rate in District 6 exceeds the state average in every category but one. This includes:
  • Hispanic/Latino students: 89.4 percent versus 81.2 percent
  • White students: 93.7 percent versus 91.4 percent
  • Black or African American students: 88.9 percent versus 81.6 percent
  • Students living in economically disadvantaged homes: 88.7 percent versus 80.3 percent
  • Students with disabilities: 83.9 percent versus 75.7 percent
  • Students identified as gifted and talented: 98 percent versus 97.3 percent
  • Students who are learning English as a second language: 84.7 percent versus 73.2 percent
• Jefferson High School and the Greeley-Evans Alternative program, both offering alternative high school experiences to students who are behind on credits or not thriving at traditional high schools, saw an increase of more than 11 percentage points in the number of students graduating on time, from 67.9 percent in 2024 to 79.1 percent this year.
• Every traditional high school, charter school and Early College Academy exceeded the 90 percent graduation rate. Early College Academy and Union Colony Preparatory had a 100 percent graduation rate.

The dropout rate for District 6 is 1.2 percent for 2025, also below the state average of 1.6 percent. Last year the dropout rate in District 6 was 1.9 percent.

Here are the graduation rates by school in District 6:

• Greeley Central High School:  92 percent
• Greeley West High School: 91.9 percent
• Northridge High School: 94.4 percent
• District 6 Online Academy: 86.5 percent
• Early College Academy: 100 percent
• Jefferson High School/Greeley-Evans Alternative Program: 79.1 percent
• Frontier Academy High School: 97.5 percent
• Union Colony Preparatory: 100 percent
• University High School: 97.8 percent