GITNUXREPORT 2025

Highschool Statistics

High school experiences vary; dropout rates, stress, extracurriculars impact success.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

High school literacy rates have increased to approximately 95% in developed countries

Statistic 2

The average GPA of U.S. high school students is around 3.0

Statistic 3

The percentage of U.S. high school students who are proficient in math is about 41%

Statistic 4

The average number of books read by high school students per year is about 8

Statistic 5

About 15% of high school students have experienced online harassment

Statistic 6

Women make up about 52% of high school graduates in the U.S.

Statistic 7

The average high school teacher in the U.S. earns about $65,000 annually

Statistic 8

Approximately 1.2 million students in the U.S. are homeschooled at the high school level

Statistic 9

The percentage of students with access to school mental health services is about 55%

Statistic 10

The average high school enrollment in the U.S. is approximately 16 million students

Statistic 11

Nearly 20% of high school students report experiencing depression symptoms during the school year

Statistic 12

Students from minority backgrounds are less likely to graduate high school on time, with graduation rates around 78%

Statistic 13

The proportion of teachers with a master’s degree in the U.S. high schools is approximately 60%

Statistic 14

More than 80% of high school students report experiencing some form of bullying during their school years

Statistic 15

Approximately 3.6 million students drop out of high school each year worldwide

Statistic 16

The U.S. high school graduation rate reached 85% in 2022

Statistic 17

Students involved in extracurricular activities are 20% more likely to graduate on time

Statistic 18

About 70% of U.S. high school students report feeling stressed about their academic performance

Statistic 19

The average class size in U.S. public high schools is about 24 students

Statistic 20

Students who receive personalized learning support are 25% more likely to graduate

Statistic 21

Only about 20% of high school students from low-income families graduate college-ready

Statistic 22

The percentage of high school graduates enrolled in college immediately after graduation is approximately 66%

Statistic 23

The dropout rate for high school students in the U.S. was approximately 5.1% in 2022

Statistic 24

Around 87% of high school seniors report planning to attend college or a vocational program after graduation

Statistic 25

Approximately 45% of high school students report needing help understanding career options

Statistic 26

About 25% of high school students have poor sleep habits, which negatively impact academic performance

Statistic 27

Only 15% of high schools offer comprehensive sex education programs

Statistic 28

Approximately 80% of high school students report that stress negatively impacts their academic performance

Statistic 29

About 48% of high school students feel prepared for college-level work

Statistic 30

The rate of high school dropouts has decreased by 15% over the past five years

Statistic 31

The median age at high school graduation in the U.S. is 18 years old

Statistic 32

Approximately 65% of U.S. high school students are enrolled in at least one advanced placement (AP) course

Statistic 33

Only 55% of students report they are satisfied with their high school experience

Statistic 34

The participation rate in high school sports in the U.S. is approximately 55%

Statistic 35

Approximately 40% of high school students in the U.S. report feeling unsafe at school

Statistic 36

About 80% of high school students participate in some form of community service or volunteer work

Statistic 37

Around 78% of high school students in the U.S. believe their teachers care about them

Statistic 38

Over 60% of high school students report working part-time jobs during the school year

Statistic 39

The proportion of students taking dual enrollment classes increased by 35% between 2018 and 2022

Statistic 40

About 65% of high school students are satisfied with their extracurricular activities

Statistic 41

About 68% of high school students participate in some form of family-based activities or interviews

Statistic 42

Less than 50% of high school students meet the recommended daily physical activity guidelines

Statistic 43

About 75% of high school students believe that technology enhances their learning experience

Statistic 44

Nearly 35% of high school students are involved in arts programs such as music, theater, or visual arts

Statistic 45

Nearly 90% of high school students own smartphones

Statistic 46

High school students spend an average of 7 hours per day on their devices

Statistic 47

The number of high schools offering computer science courses increased by 64% from 2018 to 2022

Statistic 48

The percentage of high school students who use e-cigarettes is around 30%

Statistic 49

Approximately 45% of high school students use social media daily

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Key Highlights

Approximately 3.6 million students drop out of high school each year worldwide
The U.S. high school graduation rate reached 85% in 2022
Students involved in extracurricular activities are 20% more likely to graduate on time
About 70% of U.S. high school students report feeling stressed about their academic performance
Approximately 65% of U.S. high school students are enrolled in at least one advanced placement (AP) course
The average class size in U.S. public high schools is about 24 students
Only 55% of students report they are satisfied with their high school experience
The participation rate in high school sports in the U.S. is approximately 55%
Nearly 90% of high school students own smartphones
About 15% of high school students have experienced online harassment
Students who receive personalized learning support are 25% more likely to graduate
High school students spend an average of 7 hours per day on their devices
Only about 20% of high school students from low-income families graduate college-ready

High schools across the globe brace for the complex realities of modern education, where a staggering 3.6 million students drop out annually, yet optimism sparkles through a rising graduation rate of 85% in the U.S., revealing both challenges and opportunities shaping youth today.

Academic Performance and Literacy

High school literacy rates have increased to approximately 95% in developed countries
The average GPA of U.S. high school students is around 3.0
The percentage of U.S. high school students who are proficient in math is about 41%
The average number of books read by high school students per year is about 8

Academic Performance and Literacy Interpretation

Despite a commendable 95% literacy rate, the fact that only 41% of U.S. high school students are proficient in math and they read just eight books annually suggests that, while students can read and write, there's still a steep hill to climb in fostering well-rounded, numerically literate minds.

Demographic Trends and Equity

About 15% of high school students have experienced online harassment
Women make up about 52% of high school graduates in the U.S.
The average high school teacher in the U.S. earns about $65,000 annually
Approximately 1.2 million students in the U.S. are homeschooled at the high school level
The percentage of students with access to school mental health services is about 55%
The average high school enrollment in the U.S. is approximately 16 million students
Nearly 20% of high school students report experiencing depression symptoms during the school year
Students from minority backgrounds are less likely to graduate high school on time, with graduation rates around 78%
The proportion of teachers with a master’s degree in the U.S. high schools is approximately 60%
More than 80% of high school students report experiencing some form of bullying during their school years

Demographic Trends and Equity Interpretation

While roughly 15% of students face online harassment and over 80% endure bullying, only about half have access to mental health support, illustrating that in American high schools, social challenges often outpace the resources meant to address them, all amidst a graduation landscape where women now comprise over half of graduates yet minority students and those experiencing depression still face significant hurdles.

Educational Outcomes and Graduation Metrics

Approximately 3.6 million students drop out of high school each year worldwide
The U.S. high school graduation rate reached 85% in 2022
Students involved in extracurricular activities are 20% more likely to graduate on time
About 70% of U.S. high school students report feeling stressed about their academic performance
The average class size in U.S. public high schools is about 24 students
Students who receive personalized learning support are 25% more likely to graduate
Only about 20% of high school students from low-income families graduate college-ready
The percentage of high school graduates enrolled in college immediately after graduation is approximately 66%
The dropout rate for high school students in the U.S. was approximately 5.1% in 2022
Around 87% of high school seniors report planning to attend college or a vocational program after graduation
Approximately 45% of high school students report needing help understanding career options
About 25% of high school students have poor sleep habits, which negatively impact academic performance
Only 15% of high schools offer comprehensive sex education programs
Approximately 80% of high school students report that stress negatively impacts their academic performance
About 48% of high school students feel prepared for college-level work
The rate of high school dropouts has decreased by 15% over the past five years
The median age at high school graduation in the U.S. is 18 years old

Educational Outcomes and Graduation Metrics Interpretation

While an encouraging 85% of U.S. students graduate and nearly two-thirds jump straight into college, the stark reality remains that millions worldwide drop out annually, stress and poor sleep habits hinder academic success, and only a fraction receive comprehensive support or education — reminding us that high school isn’t just about grades, but about nurturing a resilient, well-informed generation ready to face the world.

Student Engagement and Participation

Approximately 65% of U.S. high school students are enrolled in at least one advanced placement (AP) course
Only 55% of students report they are satisfied with their high school experience
The participation rate in high school sports in the U.S. is approximately 55%
Approximately 40% of high school students in the U.S. report feeling unsafe at school
About 80% of high school students participate in some form of community service or volunteer work
Around 78% of high school students in the U.S. believe their teachers care about them
Over 60% of high school students report working part-time jobs during the school year
The proportion of students taking dual enrollment classes increased by 35% between 2018 and 2022
About 65% of high school students are satisfied with their extracurricular activities
About 68% of high school students participate in some form of family-based activities or interviews
Less than 50% of high school students meet the recommended daily physical activity guidelines
About 75% of high school students believe that technology enhances their learning experience
Nearly 35% of high school students are involved in arts programs such as music, theater, or visual arts

Student Engagement and Participation Interpretation

Despite widespread participation in advanced coursework, extracurriculars, and community service, over half of U.S. high school students remain dissatisfied with their experience and feel unsafe, highlighting a paradox where engagement and perceived support coexist with underlying concerns about wellbeing and safety.

Technology Usage and Resources

Nearly 90% of high school students own smartphones
High school students spend an average of 7 hours per day on their devices
The number of high schools offering computer science courses increased by 64% from 2018 to 2022
The percentage of high school students who use e-cigarettes is around 30%
Approximately 45% of high school students use social media daily

Technology Usage and Resources Interpretation

With nearly 90% of students glued to their smartphones, spending seven hours a day online, and nearly half of them on social media while e-cigarettes threaten to rewrite their health narratives, it's clear that high schools are racing to keep pace with a digital age that demands both innovation and vigilance.