Graduation rate data for the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Class of 2025 was released this week by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). The data for CCPS indicates that more than 90 percent of CCPS students in the Class of 2025 graduated on time with their peers, or within their four-year graduation cohort. The four-year graduation cohort rate tracks student progress from freshman year through senior year.

The CCPS graduation rate of 90.32% for the Class of 2025 exceeds the statewide average reported by MSDE as 86.44%. This is the fifth consecutive year that the graduation rate for CCPS seniors was reported as higher than the state average. 

The four-year cohort graduation rate decreased slightly from 90.47% in 2024 to 90.32% for 2025. Graduation rates for the Class of 2025 by high school are below. 

• Henry E. Lackey High School: 85.45%.  
• La Plata High School: 94.77%. 
• Maurice J. McDonough High School: 90.57%.  
• North Point High School: >95%. 
• St. Charles High School: 89.4%.  
• Thomas Stone High School: 82.32%.  
• Westlake High School: 91.12%. 

The percentage of students for the CCPS Class of 2025 dropping out of school was reported by MSDE as 5.45%. MSDE reports the average statewide dropout rate at 9.87%. 

MSDE also reports a five-year graduation cohort rate, which includes all students counted in the four-year rate as well as those who require an additional year to meet graduation requirements and earn their diploma (excluding graduates from the summer following their fifth year). Across CCPS, this five-year graduation rate increased to 92.4% in 2024, up from 91.8% in 2023. 

CCPS staff will present to the Board of Education of Charles County at its Feb. 10 meeting additional graduation rate information, including how the school system is working to increase the graduation rate among students.  

CCPS uses its student information system, Synergy, to track student progress toward high school graduation. The school system offers grade recovery and course recovery programs, and additional support is offered during summer break. CCPS has also expanded its high school course access to middle school students, allowing for more students to enter high school with courses that meet graduation requirements. 

Superintendent of Schools Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D., said work in schools to support students to graduate on time never stops. “We routinely monitor the achievement and path of all students toward high school graduation. This includes reviewing student-specific tracking reports in Synergy, to working with teachers and staff to identify students who may need additional academic support, such as grade or course recovery. We want all students to graduate on time with their peers and be college or career ready upon leaving CCPS. I am proud of the work our educators put into ensuring students are ready to become successful adults,” Navarro said.  

Graduation data for each Charles County high school is posted on the Maryland Report Card website.  

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,904 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. 

CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).