TAVARES -- Lake County’s 2024-25 high school graduation rate climbed to 96 percent for district-operated schools, an increase of 3 percentage points over the previous year, according to data released this week by the Florida Department of Education.
The 2024-25 graduation rate for all Lake County public schools, including charter schools, which are not operated by the district, rose to 94 percent, an increase of about 2 percentage points over 2023-24.
Both graduation rates – district-operated and overall – are higher than the statewide graduation rate of 92% for the 2024-25 school year. They are also Lake County’s highest recorded graduation rates since the state began tracking students by graduation cohorts.
Additionally, the data shows that each of Lake’s district-operated schools now has a graduation rate at or above 90 percent, satisfying a goal Superintendent Diane Kornegay set for the district when she accepted the position in 2017. The district’s graduation rate was 77.8 percent in the 2016-2017 school year.
“I am deeply proud of our students and the educators, staff, and families who support them every day,” Kornegay said. “Reaching graduation rates above 90 percent at every school is a powerful testament to what is possible when we set high expectations, invest in student support, and work together with a shared commitment to student success.”
Eustis High saw the most significant gains, jumping from an 86 percent graduation rate in 2023-2024 to 92 percent for 2024-2025.
“This achievement reflects the hard work, dedication, and support of our Panther Family,” EHS Principal Tracy Clark said. “Our teachers and staff believe in our students and provide the support they need to succeed. The Class of 2025 rose to every challenge, persevered through each requirement, and believed in themselves every step of the way. We are extremely proud of our graduates and our Eustis High School Panther Family!”
The district also saw gains in nearly every category tracked by the federal government. The graduation rate for Exceptional Student Education (ESE) students increased 4 percentage points to 83 percent. For English Language Learners (ELL), the graduate rate increased 2 percentage points to 92 percent. The increase was 4 percentage points, rising to 89 percent for Black/African American students; 3 percentage points, rising to 92 percent for Hispanic/Latin students, and 2 percentage points, rising to 94 percent for White students.
Superintendent Kornegay said several factors contributed to the increases across the district. Among them is a common vision for teaching and learning that is grounded in collaborative and independent learning opportunities, and the use of several intervention programs that support the individual needs of students with additional time for learning and more intensive instructional support. Also, each high school has a graduation facilitator who tracks student progress and connects students to resources and programs designed to assist them in achieving all requirements to walk across the graduation stage ready to enter the workforce, the military, and/or postsecondary education.
“This achievement reflects the extraordinary dedication of our students, educators, and staff across the district,” Kornegay said. “I am incredibly proud of the hard work, resilience, and commitment that have brought us to this point. Congratulations, Team Lake!”
