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Topeka Public Schools reports 87.3% 4‑year graduation rate, highlights record special‑education gains
Summary
District officials told the board the 4‑year graduation rate rose to 87.3% with 941 graduates in 2025, a 103‑student increase from the prior year; special‑education graduation reached a district high of 83.8%, and board members pressed for more school‑level detail.
Dr. Kipp presented Topeka Public Schools' graduation data to the board, saying the district’s four‑year graduation rate rose to 87.3% after dipping to 81.6% the prior year. "We're back up to a district graduation rate of 87.3," Dr. Kipp said, and the district recorded 941 graduates compared with 838 the year before.
The presentation highlighted what Dr. Kipp described as "historic" gains for special‑education students, reporting a special‑education graduation rate of 83.8%, the highest in district history. He also noted that all five comprehensive high schools are above the Kansas and national averages for the first time in district history.
Board members asked for more clarity on school‑level calculations and subgroup performance. Board member Tatum asked why the school‑by‑school averages appeared higher than the district rate; Dr. Kipp responded that smaller schools such as Avondale West and the Topeka Virtual program are included in the district cohort and bring the overall average down, and he agreed to include that context in future slides. "You're absolutely missing the rates at Avondale West, like Avondale Academy and the Topeka Virtual," Dr. Kipp said during the exchange.
The presentation also examined subgroup gaps. Dr. Kipp and high‑school representatives pointed to strategies they said are helping close equity gaps — individualized plans of study, weekly data scorecards, more counseling touchpoints for seniors and expanded career‑pathway options such as TCALC and Washburn Tech. Board members and principals discussed persistent challenges for some male students and Hispanic males in particular; speakers attributed some attrition to work obligations and other out‑of‑school factors.
The session concluded with board members praising staff and asking for additional breakdowns in future reports so the math and school‑level contributions to the district rate are clearer.
The graduation report presentation concluded and the board moved on to action items later in the meeting.
