Fall River Public Schools announces sharp increase in graduation rates district-wide, including Durfee record

Fall River Public Schools has announced significant progress in student achievement across the district, including at B.M.C. Durfee High School, Stone Therapeutic Day School, and the Robert L. Medeiros Resiliency Preparatory Academy, as reflected in newly released data from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The district-wide graduation rate rose sharply from 66.4% in 2024 to 76.8% in 2025, while the dropout rate has remained steady at 5% over the past three years.

At B.M.C. Durfee High School, the 4-year adjusted graduation rate reached an all-time high of 88.5% in 2025, marking a significant milestone for the school community. The overall graduation rate increased to 83.6%.

The data at Durfee also highlights significant improvement among key student groups, most notably students with individualized education plans, whose graduation rate in 2025 increased more than 20 percentage points to 76%, and English Language Learners also achieved a 76% graduation rate, up 7 percent from the previous year.

The trend continues across the district – including alternative and specialized programs. The Stone Therapeutic Day School and the Robert L. Medeiros Resiliency Preparatory Academy saw meaningful growth in their graduation rates, and both schools have made progress toward reducing chronic absenteeism.

“These results not only reflect the impact of increased academic rigor and expanded opportunities, but also the hard work of our students and staff,” said Acting Superintendent Brian Raposo. “We remain committed to expanding access to high-quality instruction and expanding programs and pathways to ensure every student has a pathway to success.”

Fall River Public Schools attributes these gains to several key initiatives, including expanded access to grade-level and advanced coursework and broader opportunities for college and career readiness.

At B.M.C. Durfee High School:

· More than 430 juniors and seniors are enrolled in at least one Advanced Placement course

· Over 250 juniors and seniors are participating in Early College programs through Bristol Community College, UMass Dartmouth, and Bridgewater State University, earning college credits at no cost

The district has also expanded its Career Technical Education programming:

· Durfee now offers 10 CTE pathways, including engineering, criminal justice, construction, cosmetology, early childhood education, and culinary arts

· More than 1,000 students are currently enrolled in CTE programs, gaining valuable hands-on experience and career skills

· Pre-CTE courses are offered at the middle school level, introducing students to career pathways early