Modesto graduation rates increase for English learners, drop for Black students

Modesto City Schools’ latest report on student achievement rates highlights large increases in success by English learners, but Black students saw a decrease in the graduation rate and an increase in the dropout rate. The information on the 2024-25 academic year was presented to the Board of Trustees at its Sept. 29 meeting.

The district measures student achievements and its own performance through several metrics: completion of A-G classes, graduation and dropout rates, dual enrollment rates, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate testing and passing rates, attendance and suspensions, the number of English learning students reclassified as English fluent students, biliteracy rates and more.

The district noted that it reclassified 953 students from English learners to fluent English speakers and that 320 students have earned the state seal of biliteracy.

“We are seeing notable gains this year, particularly among our English learners, who posted a 6.7 increase. English learners have shown steady, sustained growth and are now graduating above the statewide average, a clear indication that our targeted supports are making a difference,” said Amanda Shroyer, the district’s senior director of school leadership.

Though the district as a whole had an A-G readiness rate of 40.5%, while the state average is 51.5%, this year marks a 5.4% growth in A-G readiness from the previous school year. Only Enochs High School outperformed at the state average, at 52.9%. A-G classes are college preparatory courses that are required by the California State University and University of California systems for admission.

Johansen High School, which has a 39.6% A-G readiness rate, marked an increase of over 15%. Modesto High School also experienced significant growth in its A-G readiness rate at 44.5%, a 10% increase.

English learners saw the highest increase, from 12.7% during the 2023-24 school year to 20.5% during the 2024-25 school year. Hispanic and Latino students, white students, English learning students and students with disabilities showed an increase in A-G readiness across the district, though the rate largely remained the same for Black students.

In a partnership with UC Merced, high school students who have completed their A-G courses with a 3.5 GPA can apply to a guaranteed-admission program. In the last school year, this resulted in 275 qualified applicants across the district. This year, there are 520.

Overall grad rate increases, exceeds state average

The district’s graduation rate increased from 91.1% for the 2023-24 school year to 93% for the 2024-25 school year, above the state average of 90.2%. Beyer, Downey, Davis, Gregori and Enochs all had graduation rates above 90%, with Enochs boasting a 97.7% graduation rate.

Davis High School had over a 12% increase, with a 95.1% graduation rate for the previous school year. Graduation rates for Hispanic and Latino, white, English learning students and students with disabilities increased by 2%, 3.1%, 6.7% and 3.3%, respectively. Black students’ graduation rates went down from 89.9% to 86.3%.

The district’s dropout rates largely remained the same from the previous year, at 1.7%, while the state average is 6.3%. The dropout rate decreased for white and English learning students, stayed largely the same for Hispanic and Latino students and increased for Black students and students with disabilities.

As the district ramps up campaigns for college and career preparedness, its dual enrollment rate, or the rate of high school students taking courses through Modesto Junior College, has increased from 200 in 2024 to 914 in 2025.

The district also noted a 3.2% decrease in suspensions for middle school students, to 5.8%, while the suspension rate stayed at 2% for TK-6 grade students and decreased by 0.7% for high school students.

Several board members expressed concern over the 11th-grade CAASPP scores, where the average rate of students who met or exceeded standards decreased by 5.2% at Elliott Alternative Education Center, 7.7% at Johansen and 7.3% at Enochs from the previous year for English and language arts. Beyer had the highest percentage of students meeting or exceeding standards, at 62.9%. For math, Enochs was the only school to have a notable decrease, 3.4%. The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, or CAASPP, is a statewide standardized test used to assess student performance and learning.

“Last year, at least in my district, we had several students get a 4 or a 5 on the AP pre-calculus exam and not get standard or above standard on the CAASPP,” Trustee Abel Maestas said. “We need to think about the validity of that test … I don’t think that test is valid enough to look at and say these kids aren’t proficient.”

Superintendent Vanessa Buitrago concurred that CAASSP scores don’t necessarily reflect a students’ proficiencies. “I don’t believe that the CAASPP scores accurately capture what our students are capable of. I do not think that these scores are reflective of where our students are at. While I think this is an indicator, I don’t think it’s the only indicator that we should be attending to. The metrics that I am most interested in have to do with how students are experiencing their education,” she said.

Buitrago added that more feedback from students, listening to students’ experiences given they are the ones in the classroom daily, is what’s necessary to “think critically about what engagement really means.”

The district celebrated several wins and accreditations, including Beyer, Enochs and Gregori being listed as best high schools in Stanislaus County according to the U.S. News & World Report and 400 graduates from the district’s adult schooling system.

Modesto High School was honored with a top 45 school distinction from the Advancement Via Individual Determination Center for college preparedness in June 2025, Sonoma Elementary was named a 2025 California distinguished school and the district was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for energy efficiency, with 26 schools earning an Energy Star award.

The district also received the Black EdCellence Award from the California Association of Black Student Excellence.

This story was originally published October 1, 2025 at 11:25 AM.