Photo: Jared Brosnan/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu was in Roxbury on Monday, joined by Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper, to congratulate BPS students on a big achievement.
Mayor Wu took the stage at the Dearborn STEM Academy to announce that the BPS graduation rate for the class of 2025 was 81.3%, the highest recorded in BPS history. The jump is a big difference from the less than 60% graduation rate back in 2006, when records began.
“Last week, we heard officially from the State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education,” said Mayor Wu. “Last year, with all the numbers tallied up, Boston Public Schools class of 2025 hit the highest graduation rate ever recorded in Boston Public Schools history.”
“I want to give a huge congratulations to every single BPS student, graduate, their families, and community for this achievement.”
Mayor Wu also recognized BPS staff and faculty and thanked them for their work with students and around the schools.
“I also want to say thank you to all of our amazing BPS educators and staff. Thank you for laying the foundation for every one of our students and schools for these academic achievements,” said Mayor Wu. “You show up for our students every day, encouraging them, challenging them, supporting them as they grow.”
Along with the highest graduation rate in BPS history, Mayor Wu noted that the increased graduation rates were across every student demographic group, with the biggest growth coming from bilingual students.
Mayor Wu also brought up how BPS saw the lowest dropout rates in recorded history for students, likely related to the high graduation rate.
BPS Superintendent Skipper encouraged students at Dearborn Academy to keep building on their predecessors' success.
“The reason we do the work we do every day is because we believe in you,” said Skipper. “So congratulations to Dearborn, congratulations to BPS, great day.”
Skipper handed off the microphone to BPS Principal Darlene Marcano for closing remarks, followed by a celebratory lunch.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Jared Brosnan (@JaredBrosnanWBZ) reports.