While the classic image of the American high school as a homogeneous experience persists, the reality revealed by the numbers is far more dynamic and diverse, shaped by dramatic demographic shifts, evolving academic challenges, and complex student well-being concerns that paint a vastly different portrait of today's 14.6 million public high school students.
Key Takeaways
- In the 2020-21 school year, approximately 14.6 million students were enrolled in grades 9-12 in U.S. public high schools, representing 8% of the total public school population.
- The percentage of public high school students who were Hispanic/Latino increased from 18.6% in 2010-11 to 28.4% in 2020-21.
- In fall 2021, about 24% of public high school students were Black, compared to 15% a decade earlier.
- In 2022, the national adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR) for public high schools was 87%, up from 79% in 2010-11.
- White students had an ACGR of 90% in 2021-22, compared to 82% for Black students.
- Hispanic high school students' ACGR reached 88% in 2021-22, a 14-point increase since 2011-12.
- ACT composite average for 2023 high school graduates was 19.5, down from 21.0 in 2010.
- Chronic absenteeism affected 25% of high school students pre-pandemic in 2017-18.
- In 2021-22, 42% of public high school students were chronically absent (missing 10%+ of days).
- Suspension rates for high school students averaged 5.5% in 2017-18.
- In 2021, 8.9% of high school students had seriously considered attempting suicide.
- 22% of female high school students felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021, vs 11% males.
- Obesity rates among high school students were 22% in 2021.
- 11 million high school students participated in sports in 2019.
- Boys' basketball had 551,000 high school participants in 2022-23.
U.S. high school demographics are diversifying while students face significant academic and social challenges.
Academic Achievement
- In 2022, the national adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR) for public high schools was 87%, up from 79% in 2010-11.
- White students had an ACGR of 90% in 2021-22, compared to 82% for Black students.
- Hispanic high school students' ACGR reached 88% in 2021-22, a 14-point increase since 2011-12.
- Students with disabilities had an ACGR of 72% in 2021-22, improving from 61% a decade prior.
- English learners' ACGR was 68% in 2021-22, up from 59% in 2011-12.
- In 2022, 66% of public high school students took the SAT, with an average score of 1057.
- In 2023, 1.9 million students took AP exams, with 63% scoring 3 or higher.
- Advanced Placement participation rate among public high school graduates was 39% in 2022.
- In 2022, 92% of AP U.S. History exam takers scored 1-5, with 11% earning a 5.
- NAEP 12th-grade reading proficiency was 37% at or above proficient in 2019, down from 40% in 2015.
- Math NAEP scores for 12th graders averaged 150 in 2022, with 26% proficient or above.
- In 2021-22, 85% of high school seniors planned to pursue postsecondary education.
- Average GPA for public high school students was 3.0 in 2019, per self-reported surveys.
- STEM course enrollment in high schools reached 35% of students in advanced math by 2021.
- In 2023, 57% of high school graduates met all four ACT college readiness benchmarks.
- IB Diploma pass rate for U.S. high school students was 80% in May 2023.
- In 2022, 24% of 12th graders scored proficient in NAEP science.
- Dual enrollment participation tripled to 1.4 million high school students by 2020.
- In 2021, average PSAT score for 11th graders was 1010.
- High school courseload averaged 7.2 credits per year in 2019.
Academic Achievement Interpretation
While we’re celebrating high school graduation rates hitting record highs and advanced course enrollment surging, the sobering asterisk is that these impressive climbing numbers are still sitting uncomfortably beside stubborn gaps in equity and proficiency, revealing a system that’s getting more students across the stage but not necessarily ensuring they’re all ready for what comes next.
Advanced Placement
- ACT composite average for 2023 high school graduates was 19.5, down from 21.0 in 2010.
Advanced Placement Interpretation
After a dozen years of trying to solve for X, the class of 2023 found the answer to be a disappointing 19.5, proving that the only thing trending downward faster than their scores is our hope for the education system.
Attendance and Behavior
- Chronic absenteeism affected 25% of high school students pre-pandemic in 2017-18.
- In 2021-22, 42% of public high school students were chronically absent (missing 10%+ of days).
- Suspension rates for high school students averaged 5.5% in 2017-18.
- In 2019, 15% of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
- Truancy rates in urban high schools reached 20% in some districts pre-2020.
- In 2022, 8% of high school students were expelled or had out-of-school suspensions exceeding 10 days.
- Bullying victimization occurred among 20% of high school students in 2021 YRBS survey.
- Average daily attendance in high schools was 92% in 2018-19.
- In 2019, 7% of high school students skipped school 3+ days in past month due to safety concerns.
- High school dropout rate was 5.2% for 16-24 year olds in 2021.
- Cyberbullying affected 16% of high school students in 2021.
- In 2022, 28% of high schoolers reported electronic bullying.
- Tardiness impacted 12% of high school students daily in urban areas.
- Gang involvement was reported by 5% of high school students in 2019 surveys.
- In 2021, 14% of high school boys and 6% of girls were in physical fights on school property.
- Vaping on school grounds was admitted by 10% of high schoolers in 2022.
- In 2019, 4% of high school students carried weapons to school.
- Hazing incidents affected 11% of high school athletes in recent surveys.
- In 2023, average high school tardy rate was 15% per period in some states.
- Substance use led to 9% absence rate among high schoolers in 2021.
- In 2022, 18% of high school students considered suicide, linked to absenteeism.
- Disciplinary referrals averaged 50 per 100 high school students in 2018.
- In 2019, 22% of high school students felt unsafe at school.
- Post-pandemic, high school unexcused absences rose 50% in 2022.
- 35% of 12th graders binge drank in the past two weeks in 2022.
- In 2023, 12% of high schoolers used illicit drugs in past month, impacting attendance.
- Theft or property damage reported by 12% of high school students in 2019.
Attendance and Behavior Interpretation
The troubling array of statistics paints a picture of a high school experience where, for a significant minority, chronic absenteeism, mental distress, and safety concerns have converged into a daily reality that often overshadows learning itself.
Demographics and Enrollment
- In the 2020-21 school year, approximately 14.6 million students were enrolled in grades 9-12 in U.S. public high schools, representing 8% of the total public school population.
- The percentage of public high school students who were Hispanic/Latino increased from 18.6% in 2010-11 to 28.4% in 2020-21.
- In fall 2021, about 24% of public high school students were Black, compared to 15% a decade earlier.
- Female students made up 49% of public high school enrollment in 2020-21, while males were 51%.
- Rural areas accounted for 19% of public high school students in 2020-21, down from 22% in 2010.
- In 2021, 15.4 million students attended traditional public high schools, while 1.2 million were in public charter high schools.
- The student-to-teacher ratio in public high schools averaged 16:1 in 2020-21.
- English learners comprised 10.6% of public high school students in 2020-21, up from 8.1% in 2010-11.
- Students with disabilities represented 16% of public high school enrollment in 2020-21.
- In 2021, 5% of public high school students attended schools in large cities, while 28% were in suburbs.
- Asian/Pacific Islander students were 5.2% of public high school enrollment in 2020-21.
- White students declined from 53% to 44% of public high school enrollment between 2010-11 and 2020-21.
- In 2020-21, 82% of public high school students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch, varying by state.
- Multiracial students increased to 4.8% of public high school enrollment in 2020-21 from 3% in 2010.
- American Indian/Alaska Native students were 1.1% of public high schoolers in 2020-21.
- In 2021, private high school enrollment was about 1.1 million students, or 7% of total high school population.
- Homeschooled high school-aged students numbered around 1.7 million in 2019, per U.S. Census estimates.
- In 2020-21, 91% of public high school students were U.S. citizens, with 9% non-citizens or status unknown.
- Pacific Islander students alone were 0.5% of public high school enrollment in 2020-21.
- In large urban districts, high school enrollment dropped 3% from 2019-20 to 2020-21 due to pandemic.
- The average public high school had 842 students in 2020-21, up from 824 in 2010.
- In 2021, 56% of high school students were in schools with 750+ enrollment.
- Migrant students numbered 289,000 in public high schools in 2020-21.
- In 2020-21, 4.1% of public high school students were identified as homeless.
- Foster care students in public high schools totaled about 140,000 in recent years.
- In 2021, high school enrollment in California was 1.75 million, the largest state total.
- Texas had 1.47 million public high school students in 2020-21.
- New York state's public high school enrollment was 788,000 in 2020-21.
- Florida enrolled 850,000 students in public high schools in 2020-21.
Demographics and Enrollment Interpretation
The American high school, that microcosm of our national evolution, reveals a student body that is less rural, more diverse, economically challenged, and increasingly found in larger schools, with each statistic a data point in the story of a changing nation.
Extracurriculars and Sports
- 11 million high school students participated in sports in 2019.
- Boys' basketball had 551,000 high school participants in 2022-23.
- Girls' track and field led with 605,000 participants in 2022-23.
- 7.6 million students played NFHS sports in 2022-23, up 1.5%.
- Band/marching band involved 1.2 million high school students annually.
- 23% of high school students participated in school clubs in 2019.
- Student government participation was 12% among high schoolers.
- Drama/theater engaged 4% of high school students in 2021.
- Robotics clubs grew to 150,000 participants by 2023.
- JV/Freshman sports had 1.1 million participants in 2022.
- Cheerleading involved 400,000 high school girls in 2022.
- Esports participation reached 500 high school programs by 2023.
- Yearbook staff averaged 50 students per high school.
- DECA/FBLA business clubs had 250,000 members in 2023.
- Science Olympiad teams numbered 7,800 high schools in 2023.
- 60% of high school graduates had extracurricular involvement linked to college apps.
- Volleyball girls' participation was 452,000 in 2022-23.
- Soccer boys had 459,000 players in high school 2022.
- Mock Trial competitions involved 15,000 students yearly.
- FFA agriculture club membership was 850,000 in 2023.
- Newspaper/journalism staff in 70% of high schools, avg 20 students.
- Lacrosse participation doubled to 120,000 since 2010.
- 15% of high schoolers volunteered 100+ hours/year.
Extracurriculars and Sports Interpretation
While the numbers clearly show that high school athletics, particularly track and field, are the main event drawing millions, the quiet but steady growth of everything from robotics and esports to Mock Trial and FFA proves that the true spirit of competition—and college applications—is thriving just as fiercely off the field.
Health and Mental Health
- In 2021, 8.9% of high school students had seriously considered attempting suicide.
- 22% of female high school students felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021, vs 11% males.
- Obesity rates among high school students were 22% in 2021.
- 10% of high school students had asthma in 2021 surveys.
- Vaping nicotine was reported by 10% of high schoolers daily in 2022.
- 57% of high school students got 8+ hours of sleep on school nights in 2021, down from 65%.
- Concussions affected 8% of high school athletes annually.
- In 2021, 14% of high school girls attempted suicide.
- Depression symptoms were reported by 30% of high school students in 2022.
- 16% of high school students had poor mental health in past month in 2021.
- Physical activity met CDC guidelines by 24% of high schoolers in 2021.
- 4% of high school students had diabetes in 2017-2020 NHANES data.
- Sexual violence victimization was 11% among high school girls in 2021.
- 2% of high school students injected drugs in past year in 2021.
- Anxiety prevalence among high schoolers reached 32% in 2022 surveys.
- 20% of high school students experienced homelessness or housing instability.
- Fruit/vegetable consumption was <5 servings/day for 90% of high schoolers.
- STI rates among high school age group were 1 in 4 sexually active teens.
- 7% of high school students had a concussion in past year in 2022.
- Screen time averaged 7.5 hours/day for high schoolers excluding schoolwork.
- 28% of high school students played video games 3+ hours daily.
- Dental visits in past year for 70% of high school students.
- COVID-19 vaccination rate among high schoolers was 65% fully vaccinated by 2022.
- 45% of high school athletes participated in football, with injury rates 15%.
- Soda consumption daily by 20% of high school students in 2021.
Health and Mental Health Interpretation
The portrait of American high schoolers in 2021 reveals a generation navigating a minefield of mental health crises, physical ailments, and lifestyle hazards, where feeling persistently sad is more common than meeting basic exercise or nutrition standards.
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