New Jersey’s high school graduation rate of 84.5 percent is the highest in the nation, according to a nationwide study released in June.

New Jersey topped the nation’s average graduation rate of 69.6 percent for 2002-03, the most recent statistics available, according to “Diplomas Count,” a report by the Editorial Projects in Education, the Maryland-based nonprofit organization that publishes Education Week magazine.

“Also compelling among the statistics was the fact that New Jersey’s graduation rates for minority students are the second-highest in the nation,” said Edwina M. Lee, NJSBA executive director. “While we must continue to strive for improvement, this tells us that schools are working toward educational opportunity for all students.”

New Jersey’s graduation rate for black students is 66.1 percent (compared to 51.6 percent nationally); New Jersey’s graduation rate for Hispanic students is 69 percent (compared to 55.6 percent nationally); and the rate for Asian students is 88.7 percent (compared to 77 percent nationally).

Educators have noted that New Jersey’s high graduation rate may partly be attributed to the Special Review Assessment for students who fail at least one section of the standard high school graduation test. New Jersey is currently phasing out the less-rigorous exam.