Three of every five JHS graduates to attend 4-year college

By Clara Toot, JCSD Communications Specialist

JOHNSTON, Ia. (July 8, 2025) — Following their graduation from Johnston High School, 60 percent of the 590 students in the class of 2025 plan to attend a four-year postsecondary institution. 

That included 45.1 percent who planned to attend a 4-year-public college, and 14.9 percent  who planned to attend a 4-year private college, according to the annual senior exit survey given to all graduating seniors by the JHS counseling department in May. 

The survey showed that attending a 4-year college was the most popular choice among the recent JHS graduates. Other plans included:

  • 22 percent enrolling in a 2-year community college 
  • 5.7 percent entering the workforce
  • 3.9 percent still deciding their next steps
  • 3.7 percent participating in an apprenticeship
  • 2.6 percent enlisting in the military
  • 1.3 percent taking part in other post-secondary plans
  • 0.9 percent completing an internship

Among those planning to attend college, the highest number of students asked for their final transcript to be sent to Des Moines Area Community College (29.7%), followed by Iowa State University (26.7%) and the University of Iowa (17.6%). 

Preparing students for the future

Dr. Jyll Johnson Miner, director of post-secondary pathways and related arts learning, is excited to use this year’s data to make informed decisions and improvements to continue preparing students for life after graduation.

“These numbers represent a lot of positivity for Johnston High School,” Miner said. “JHS doesn’t just teach — it inspires, equips and empowers every student to thrive in any career path they choose, from trades to college, military, to the arts or entrepreneurship.” 

The survey also provided insight into life at Johnston High School before the students graduated. 

  • 80.55 percent of seniors said they participated in extracurricular activities
  • 88.26 percent of Johnston seniors had a paying job while in grades 9-12 
  • 84.22 percent of students planned to stay in Iowa for their postsecondary path.

“I am proud of the academic preparation, but more specifically the data point that over 80 percent of our students were involved in at least one extra-curricular activity,” Miner said. “It means they were also involved and connected and in doing that, they left their markDSC 0527 at JHS. That warms my heart.”

Once a Dragon, Always a Dragon

Johnston students are always welcome to come back to Johnston and speak to our counseling team with questions about their future path. Whether it is providing guidance with financial aid, helping students get registered or even just being there to listen, our counselors are here for our students, current and past. 

Miner is thankful for the strong partnerships developed between the Johnston High School counseling office and individual students. 

“Our team has made a concerted effort to truly get to know each student,” she said. “We  have made significant improvements in the past five years.”

JCSD would like to wish the JHS Class of 2025 the best of luck in their future endeavors.

Enrolling in College (1)