District Achieves One of Washington’s Highest Graduation Rates

The Issaquah School District (ISD) achieved the highest graduation rates in Washington among surrounding school districts with multiple comprehensive high schools for the 2024-25 school year. The district’s four-year graduation rate reached 96.3%, ranking No. 1 in King County and tying for No. 1 statewide among large districts with more than 10,000 students. The district’s overall rate rose by nearly two percentage points from last year, and all ISD high schools improved, with nearly every campus exceeding a 95% four-year graduation rate. The district’s four-year plus continuing rate increased to 98.9%, reflecting continued success in supporting students who need additional time to earn their diploma. As part of the district’s ongoing commitment to closing opportunity gaps, graduation rates also improved for students of color, students with disabilities and students whose families classify as low-income. 

“These results reflect the daily commitment of our teachers, graduation specialists, counselors, principals and their leadership teams who work together to understand each student’s story and respond with care, precision and urgency,” Superintendent Heather Tow-Yick said. “Graduation rates increased at every high school, and outcomes also improved for student populations that have historically faced greater barriers to completion, including students of color, students with disabilities and students from low-income families. That is a powerful reflection of excellent teaching, thoughtful use of data and strong classroom interventions. I am deeply proud of our teams for helping even more students earn their diploma.” 

Nearly all ISD high schools posted four-year graduation rates above 95% in 2024-25, including Skyline High School at 97.9%, Liberty High School at 96.4%, Issaquah High School at 95% and Gibson Ek High School at 94.4%. Four-year plus continuing graduation rates were even higher, with Skyline at 99.3%, Liberty at 99.2%, Issaquah at 98.6% and Gibson Ek at 96.3%. 

Opportunity gaps narrowed, and graduation outcomes showed steady improvement for students of color, those with disabilities and those classified as low-income. Over the past two years, four-year plus continuing graduation rates increased from 89% to 97.5% for students of color, from 91.5% to 94.7% for students with disabilities and from 87.8% to 95.6% for low-income students, continuing a districtwide trend of narrowing opportunity gaps. 

Across the system, staff share a belief that behind every data point is a child with unique strengths, barriers and circumstances. That belief shapes daily decisions and reinforces a culture of persistence, compassion and accountability. District leaders attribute the continued growth in graduation rates to intentional, systemwide practices focused on early identification, timely intervention and strong relationships with students and families at the school level.   

Each high school uses real-time data tools to monitor student progress, recognize early warning signs and respond quickly with targeted supports. Principals, counselors and graduation specialists collaborate with teachers to match interventions to student needs and keep students on track for graduation. Credit recovery opportunities, alternative scheduling and personalized graduation plans allow students to persist when challenges arise. Most students graduate in four years, while others continue in their education and graduate in five to seven years, including students with disabilities who receive transition services up to age 22. A recent state law, effective in the 2025-26 school year, extended services through the school year in which a student turns 22. 

“We do not give up on students,” Tow-Yick said. “If a student needs more time, we stay with them. Once they are in our system, our responsibility is to help them earn their diploma, even if the path looks different than expected. At the same time, we know we still have work to do on behalf of every student. Our Portrait of a Graduate and our strategic plan provide a clear framework to keep improving, so every learner leaves us prepared with the skills, confidence and purpose to thrive.” 

Our district will continue to support diverse pathways to graduation, ensuring students have multiple ways to meet requirements while maintaining high expectations and strong academic foundations. The district continues to strengthen inclusionary practices, expanding access to accommodations, interventions, acceleration programs and flexible learning pathways. Universal Design for Learning and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support guide instruction and intervention, emphasizing proactive, evidence-based strategies shown to improve student outcomes. Through stronger instructional practices and increased engagement with students and caregivers through High School and Beyond Plans, school staff remain committed to helping students develop and monitor personalized paths to graduation. 

This work supports the district’s mission to prepare students for life in a dynamic environment and its vision to help all students thrive and positively impact the world. It also advances School Board Result R2, Academics and Foundations, ensuring graduates are academically prepared and confident to pursue higher education or specialized career training. Through intentional instruction, the Issaquah School District remains committed to keeping students on track, restoring confidence and expanding possibility, one student at a time.