Native American Schools Hit Record 87% Graduation Rate

The achievement took a decade. In 2015, graduation rates at schools funded and managed by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) sat at just 51% — far below the national average. By 2026, that gap has closed entirely. For the first time in the BIE's history, its schools have matched the national average, with 87–88% of students graduating.

Eight high schools saw every senior in the 2025/26 class walk across the stage. Another 13 schools achieved graduation rates of 90% or higher. The milestone marks a dramatic transformation in educational outcomes for Native American students across the country, achieved through improved data systems, flexible learning options, and deep coordination between tribal communities, families, and educators.

"These schools are a testament to what is possible when students, families, educators, and tribal communities work together," said BIE Director Tony Dearman. "Our students are showing the nation what Native excellence looks like. Their success reflects the unwavering dedication across our school communities to keep students at the center of everything we do."

The BIE oversees or funds approximately 183 schools across 23 states, serving around 46,000 students from federally recognized tribes. Historically, students at these schools have faced significant disadvantages: geographic isolation, limited resources, and decades of systemic underfunding. The graduation rate disparity had long been cited as one of the starkest educational inequalities in the United States.

What Changed

Several reforms contributed to the turnaround. The BIE modernized its data systems, giving schools real-time dashboards, pacing guides, and instructional resources that enable consistent teaching and early identification of students at risk of falling behind.

Remote learning options — retained from the pandemic era — made a notable difference for students with caregiving responsibilities or part-time work obligations. Expanded vocational and trades programs also helped keep technically inclined students engaged and on track toward graduation.

One long-standing issue with the statistics was an accounting problem: students who transferred to other schools were previously counted as having dropped out. Correcting for this — treating transfers as transfers rather than failures — meaningfully improved the graduation numbers.

"Our students deserve every opportunity to thrive," Dearman said. "This data reflects real progress — students walking across that stage, families celebrating, communities growing stronger."

Closing the Gap

In 2015, the gulf between BIE schools and the national average represented one of the widest educational disparities in the country. The national graduation rate that year was about 83%; BIE schools sat 32 percentage points below that.

The climb to parity represents not just institutional improvement but a cultural shift. Tribal leaders, educators, and families have invested deeply in reclaiming educational achievement as an expression of sovereignty, pride, and self-determination. Programs emphasizing Native language preservation, cultural identity, and community-led instruction have increasingly been woven into school curricula.

For the students who graduated in spring 2026, the achievement is both personal and historical. They are the generation that closed a gap that had persisted for decades — a milestone that promises lasting change for Native American communities nationwide.

The BIE data was reported by the Associated Press in July 2026.