Introduction to the High School Graduation Playbook
High School Graduation Playbook: Chapter 1
Overview
High school graduation is a vital step toward economic stability, independence and opportunity. A diploma opens doors to college, career training and jobs with upward mobility, but earning a diploma means more than completing coursework. Students must leave high school equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence to navigate whatever comes next. Communities can support graduation outcomes by pairing rigorous academics with career exploration, real-world learning, and strong support for mental health and basic needs.
Graduating from high school is a critical milestone that significantly influences a young person’s future opportunities and long-term economic well-being. Research consistently shows that high school graduates have better outcomes across nearly every indicator of adult success compared to those who do not complete high school. For communities, higher graduation rates lead to stronger local economies, reduced public spending on social services and greater civic participation. When more young people graduate, communities benefit from a more skilled workforce, increased tax contributions and a healthier, more engaged population. In the 2019-2020 academic year, the U.S. average adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR) for public high school students was 87%, the highest it has been since the rate was first measured in 2010-2011 (79%) (StriveTogether).
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, high school graduates earn, on average, 30% more than individuals without a diploma (NCES). Over a lifetime, this can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional income. Furthermore, high school graduation is often a gateway to postsecondary education, military service or skilled trades — all of which open doors to higher-paying and more stable careers.
Economists such as Raj Chetty have linked educational attainment to economic mobility, showing that students who graduate high school and continue their education are significantly more likely to move out of poverty and achieve upward mobility. High school graduates are also less likely to experience unemployment, rely on public assistance or become involved in the criminal justice system.
Beyond financial outcomes, graduation is tied to better health, longer life expectancy and higher levels of civic engagement, such as voting and volunteering.
High school graduation is not just a milestone — it’s a launchpad. It sets the foundation for lifelong learning, career advancement and a greater chance of economic security and social mobility. Improving high school graduation rates across a community requires a collaborative approach, with investments in education, health care, neighborhoods and supportive environments. Community-based organizations play a critical role in this effort, bringing together diverse stakeholders around shared goals — most importantly, ensuring that all young people are supported and on track to graduate from high school prepared for future success.
To do this effectively, community leaders need evidence-based insights on what drives young people to stay on track for high school graduation, but accessing this information can be challenging. Leaders often spend valuable time conducting research when they could be engaging with their communities. Consider three real examples:
An organization is launching a new graduation initiative and needs a comprehensive understanding of the key factors that influence successful completion of high school.
A group is leading a community-wide discussion on high school graduation efforts and requires evidence-based practices to guide the conversation.
A city planning group working to boost local employment is meeting with business leaders and needs clear research on how improving high school graduation rates can help build a stronger, more skilled workforce.
This playbook serves as a comprehensive guide to the latest research and best practices on high school graduation. It equips community leaders with the tools to identify opportunities, co-design effective strategies with their communities and build support for collective investment ensuring young people complete their high school degrees.
The playbook is organized around 17 essential questions that help communities understand their starting point and identify potential focus areas. Each question aligns to research-based topics that support high school graduation rates and offers a menu of possible indicators to track, as well as practices and policies to implement. These indicators, practices and policies have been compiled from a variety of frameworks with sources indicated in parenthesis.
Example Content
The High School Graduation Playbook is organized around 17 essential questions. Each question offers a menu of possible indicators to track, as well as practices and policies to implement.
High School Graduation Playbook
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