The overall graduation rate hit 87.8 percent of the Class of 2020 in the Kent School District, the percentage of students who entered high school in 2016 and graduated within four years.

That is a 3.8% increase from the 2019 graduation rate, and an 8.1% increase from the 2015 graduation rate, according to the district. Graduation rates districtwide have risen for four consecutive years.

The African American students’ graduation rate was 90.8%, which is an increase of 8.2% from last year. The district also saw a 4.5% increase for Hispanic/Latino students, with a graduation rate of 81.4%.

The Inclusive Education students had a graduation rate of 63.3%, which is a 10.1% increase from 2019. And English learner (EL) students had a graduation rate of 72.2%, which is a 7.5% increase.

Kentlake High School saw the largest increase among the comprehensive high schools with a graduation rate of 91.9%, up 9.6% from 2019.

“Our 2020 seniors faced unprecedented challenges, yet this data confirms their ability to persevere, overcome and succeed.” Superintendent Calvin Watts said at the Nov. 18 Kent School Board meeting. “This data also shows the commitment of students, families, and staff who did not overutilize available waivers and prioritized student learning even during this global health crisis. And while we celebrate these impressive gains for the whole student body, we cannot, and we must not lose sight of the fact that specific student groups are still not achieving at the same rate. We still have much work to do to ensure we are successfully preparing all students —meaning each and every—for their futures.”