Back to School, Forward with Data

Navigating the Path from High School to College with Data-Driven Insights

As high school students prepare to return to school, the National Student Clearinghouse is here to help. We’re proud to support secondary school leaders with data and services they can use to prepare students for higher education success.

The transition from high school to college is a pivotal moment in a student’s academic journey. Understanding how students navigate this path is essential for educators, policymakers, and families alike.

Here are three Clearinghouse resources for secondary school leaders:

1. StudentTracker for High Schools: Turning Data into Insights

StudentTracker gives secondary school leaders access to real-time, nationwide data on postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion. With this information, educators can identify trends, evaluate the effectiveness of college readiness programs, and uncover performance gaps. These insights enable high schools to develop strategies to better support students.

Earlier this spring, the Clearinghouse began rolling out the new StudentTracker 3.0 platform to secondary users. StudentTracker 3.0 enhances the user experience. It makes it easier for users to interact with data, and quickly gain insights into student outcomes. And have access to new, much requested outcomes like dual enrollment and certificates.

“Ultimately, StudentTracker transforms raw data into actionable intelligence, helping schools better prepare their students for postsecondary success,” said Michele Gralak, the Senior Product Manager for StudentTracker 3.0 at the Clearinghouse.

2. High School Benchmarks Report: Turning Insights into Action

The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center publishes the High School Benchmarks report series annually. The report helps secondary education professionals and policymakers evaluate key postsecondary outcomes — such as college enrollment, first-year persistence, and credential completion.

The latest report, released in September 2024, offers a comprehensive look at how recent high school graduates are progressing in their postsecondary journeys. It examines immediate college enrollment for the class of 2023, persistence for the class of 2021, and completion for the class of 2017.

Findings show that immediate college enrollment for 2023 graduates remained steady across most school characteristics. However, the percentage of 2022 graduates who enrolled within a year of graduation increased.

Second-year college persistence rates also rose by at least one percentage point across all school characteristics. This includes income level, race/ethnicity, and locale — between the 2020 and 2021 graduating classes. Conversely, postsecondary completion rates held constant across nearly all groups.

“The High School Benchmarks report empowers school leaders with actionable insights into their graduates’ postsecondary journeys — enabling data-driven decisions that strengthen college readiness support and improve student outcomes,” said Matthew Holsapple, Senior Director of Research at the Clearinghouse.

The Research Center will release the next High School Benchmarks report in mid-September.

3. DiplomaVerify: Turning Data into Results

With associate and bachelor’s degree completions declining, high school diplomas are becoming increasingly important in the hiring process. DiplomaVerify helps high schools streamline diploma verification, saving time and resources while enhancing data security.

By automating responses to third-party verification requests — such as those from employers, background screeners, and colleges — DiplomaVerify reduces manual processing and administrative burden. Schools can ensure that graduate credentials are verified quickly and accurately, while maintaining control over student records.

StudentTracker for High Schools users can enroll in DiplomaVerify at no cost. The more student records a school submits to the Clearinghouse, the fewer manual verification requests staff need to manage.

“Verifying diplomas can be a time-consuming and resource-intensive task for high schools and districts,” said Kathryn Pearlman, Product Manager for DiplomaVerify at the Clearinghouse. “DiplomaVerify significantly reduces that administrative burden, allowing schools to operate more efficiently while helping graduates quickly validate their credentials and secure employment opportunities.” 

Empowering  Secondary Institutions with Data for Student Success

As the 2025–26 school year begins, secondary school leaders face growing pressure to support students in their transition to college and careers. The Clearinghouse’s suite of tools — including StudentTracker, the High School Benchmarks report, and DiplomaVerify — offers powerful, data-driven solutions to help schools meet this challenge. By leveraging these resources, educators can make informed decisions, improve outcomes, and ensure every student has a clear and supported path to success beyond high school.

Enjoy the school year!