OKEECHOBEE — Okeechobee County Schools is celebrating continued progress in high school graduation outcomes, with the district’s graduation rate rising from 80.4% in 2023–24 to 83.7% in 2024–25—an increase of 3.3 percentage points.

The improvement reflects meaningful growth in both student outcomes and completion: the district reported 438 graduates in 2024–25, up from 377 graduates the previous year, while also serving a larger graduating cohort (523 students, up from 469).

Okeechobee’s year-to-year growth also exceeded the statewide increase. Florida’s graduation rate rose from 89.7% to 92.2% during the same period, while Okeechobee increased by a larger margin—helping the district continue narrowing the gap.

In addition to overall gains, several student groups showed notable improvement. The district increased graduation outcomes for English Learners (ELL), students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, and students with disabilities (ESE). The district also saw growth across multiple racial/ethnic groups, including increased graduation rates for Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino students.

“These results show that our schools are moving in the right direction—and we’re proud of the progress our students and staff have made,” said Dylan Tedders, Superintendent of Schools. “At the same time, we recognize there is more work to do. Our focus remains on strengthening the supports that help every student stay on track to graduate, and on ensuring that each student is known, challenged, and empowered as they work toward their goals.”

At the school level, Okeechobee High School improved from 85.7% to 86.6%, and Okeechobee Virtual Franchise increased from 78.6% to 92.0%.

District leaders noted that while the data reflects important momentum, Okeechobee County Schools will continue concentrating efforts on areas where additional growth is needed—especially for student groups that require targeted supports to ensure consistent progress for all learners.