St. Paul’s graduation rate went up in 2024, bringing it to pre-pandemic levels, while the state overall notched its highest rate.

Graduation rates went up among multiple student demographics in 2024, with 84.2% of Minnesota high school seniors graduating in four years, according to the state Department of Education.

The percentage of students graduating in four years in St. Paul was 76.5%, compared to 68.4% in 2023 and 76.3% in 2019. The increase follows three consecutive years of declines in the district’s four-year graduation rate. The year 2024’s graduating class began 9th grade in distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

St. Paul’s graduation rate in 2023 did not include all summer graduates due to a technical error, officials said at the time. With those graduates included, the district’s graduation rate in 2023 was closer to 73.4%, according to the district.

Despite several districts reporting technical errors impacting their graduation data last year, state officials said graduation rates still increased in 2024, even when accounting for those differences.

John Thein, interim school superintendent for St. Paul Public Schools.

“I am proud of our 2024 graduates and of our teachers, principals and many other staff who have worked diligently to support students in reaching this important milestone,” said SPPS Interim Superintendent John Thein in a statement. “To see the district’s graduation rate return to 2019 levels, and to increase significantly for many student groups, is a testament to the high-quality education that students and families should expect from Saint Paul Public Schools.”

Other metro districts

Meanwhile, Minneapolis Public Schools saw its four-year graduation rate go up from 67.8% to 73.8%, or six percentage points. The district had a graduation rate of 76.7% in 2022.

However, Minneapolis school officials last year put its graduation rate drop from 2022 to 2023 at a smaller number due to what officials said was a technical error that excluded summer graduations in 2023.

In the Anoka-Hennepin School District, the state’s largest district with more than 38,000 students, the graduation rate decreased slightly from the previous year, going from 86.7% to 85.6%.

The graduation rate for Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Schools – typically the state’s fourth-largest district with around 29,000 students – continued to increase, going from 87.7% in 2023 to 88.13% in 2024.

Statewide rates

Statewide in 2024, Minnesota had its highest graduation rate with a total of 59,720 students receiving diplomas. The graduation rate in 2023 was 83.3%, a slight drop from 2022.

Willie Jett II, Minnesota commissioner of education

“The students of the Class of 2024 worked hard and overcame challenges to achieve this milestone,” said state Education Commissioner Willie Jett in a statement. “I am thrilled to see the success of many of our student groups — especially those most at risk — and a closing of the achievement gap as we work to make sure every student, of every background, zip code and ability has access to a world-class education. I am also grateful for the educators, families and communities who stood behind these graduates and supported their needs and encouraged their successes.”

Graduation rates went up across multiple demographics, including among students who are American Indian, Asian, Black, Hispanic or Latino and white. Rates also increased for English learners, students from low-income families and students receiving special-education services.

The largest gains were among English learners with a graduation rate of 67.25%, or an increase of 3.9%, compared to last year; and Asian students with a graduation rate of 88.05%, or an increase of 2.7%, compared to last year.

“These successes, in part, are possible because of long-standing partnerships between school communities, the Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education. Support for Minnesota’s most vulnerable student groups are at risk as changes in the federal education landscape uproots supports that are designed to ensure equal education access for all students,” Jett said Tuesday.

Despite changes at the federal level, including President Donald Trump’s order to eliminate the U.S. Education Department, the state Department of Education will continue its work, Jett said.

“Our most vulnerable students are on the right track,” Jett said. “So now is not the time to interrupt all the important work being done to close achievement gaps. And so to Minnesota families, students and educators, I want to say clearly that the department of education here in Minnesota, we’re still here and we’re not going anywhere.”

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The St. Paul Saints put away the Buffalo Bisons 6-2 on Tuesday night at CHS Field.

St. Paul took the lead in the first inning, and though Buffalo tied them in the sixth inning briefly, St. Paul’s three runs in the eighth inning sealed the deal.

Carson McCusker had two home runs, and Mickey Gasper got two hits and one homer.

The Saints’ David Festa allowed one earned run on three hits over 5.2 innings.

Travis Adams (2-1) got the win, allowing three hits but no runs over 2.1 innings, and Jacob Bosiokovic finished the last inning for the Saints, allowing one earned run on two hits.

The Chicago Sky beat the Lynx 74-69 in their first exhibition game of the WNBA season on Tuesday night at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

Minnesota slightly outscored the Chicago team in the second and third quarters, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Sky’s strong first and final efforts.

Alanna Smith was the Lynx’s top scorer with 10 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Alissa Pili proved a good add from the bench, shooting 100% and making three three-pointers.

The Lynx’s exhibition season continues with another game against the Sky, this time at home, on Saturday at the Target Center.

By BRIDGET BROWN, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — The deadline to get a REAL ID is fast approaching after years of postponements and delays.

Starting May 7, your license or identification card will need to be REAL ID-compliant to fly domestically in the U.S.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like there will be another delay in the deadline this time. So, if you’re confused about how to get a REAL ID, why you even need one in the first place, and what happens if you don’t have one by May 7, here are some things to know:

What is a REAL ID?

It’s a federally compliant state-issued license or identification card that the DHS says is a more secure form of identification. Besides needing a REAL ID to fly domestically, you will also need one to access certain federal buildings and facilities.

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Why is this happening?

When the REAL ID Act was signed into law in 2005, it enacted a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission that the government set security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and IDs.

“REAL ID is a coordinated effort by the federal government to improve the reliability and accuracy of driver’s licenses and identification cards,” John Essig, the Transportation Security Administration’s Security Director for airports in the New York City region said in a press release on April 3. “The improvements are intended to inhibit terrorists’ ability to evade detection by using fraudulent identification.”

The REAL ID Act was supposed to begin rolling out in 2008, “but has faced repeated delays due to state implementation challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Nina Ruggiero, senior editorial director for Travel + Leisure. “The combination of varying state processes and shifting deadlines has added to the overall confusion around REAL IDs and likely led some travelers to take the deadlines less seriously.”

How do I know if I already have a REAL ID?

If you’ve gotten a new ID in the last few years, it could already be REAL ID-compliant.

“I also hear from travelers who are confused as to whether or not they already have a REAL ID,” Ruggiero said. “Some people who have recently renewed their license may already have a compliant ID and not know it,” so you may want to double-check yours before starting the process.

A REAL ID-compliant driver’s license has a symbol ( in most states, a star ) in the top corner of the card.

If you live in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont or Washington, it’s possible you could have an “enhanced″ ID card instead, which permits you to both fly domestically and cross land and sea borders into Mexico and Canada from the U.S. It does not, however, allow you to fly into either of those countries.

Enhanced IDs will have an American flag icon, as well as the word “enhanced” at the top of the card.

If I don’t have a REAL ID, how do I get one?

The requirements vary by state, so you will need to visit the website of your state’s driver’s licensing agency to find out the specific steps, including whether you’ll need to make an appointment at a DMV and what documentation you’ll need when you get there.

What happens on May 7? What if I don’t have a REAL ID by then?

If you don’t have a REAL ID by the deadline and you’re planning to board a domestic flight, you will need to bring your passport or another TSA-approved form of identification when you travel.

Otherwise, you could face “delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint,” warns TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein.

The deadline has already been pushed back so many times. Could it be delayed again?

In mid-April, a group of state senators from Kentucky asked the agency to delay implementing the new requirements yet again. They said the state has limited appointments available to people seeking the new cards and that there has been a rush to meet the May 7 deadline.

However, TSA spokesperson Dan Velez told the AP that the agency does not intend to delay the REAL ID deadline again.

As of late April, 81% of travelers at TSA checkpoints were presenting acceptable identification, including a state-issued REAL ID, according to DHS.