Almost 80 per cent of high school students are graduating within four years — and among those taking an extra year to earn their diploma, that number climbs to 86.5 per cent, Education Minister Mitzie Hunter announced Monday.

The rates are an all-time high, she said during a lunchtime speech to the Canadian Club in downtown Toronto.

“This is a testament to the hard work of students, and the support of their parents, and of course the dedication and professionalism of educators across the province,” she said. “This gives us good reason for optimism. But we’re not done working — not by a long shot. And we can’t rest on our laurels if we want to maintain Ontario’s competitive advantage.

“That’s why we are putting in place a focused plan to build on our successes, and even better support our students,” including hiring 2,500 new teachers and new programs.

Ontario ended the fifth year of high school, Grade 13, in 2003. Students, however, still have the option of taking extra time to complete their credits.

Some 92 per cent complete their diploma in four years, while 8 per cent take five.

“I know that our school leaders are very aware of what it takes for (students) to achieve, and our engagement strategy is working in Ontario,” Hunter told the Star after her speech. “And I think that we just have to be relentless and know every student’s name, know where they are at and support them through that process … so whether it’s four years or five years, I think every student needs to be supported to complete (high school).”

In 2015, Ontario high school students graduated at the highest rate in provincial history at that time, with 85.5 per cent earning their Grade 12 diploma.

However, they too were earning it in five years. The graduation rate for those taking four years was 78.3 per cent in 2015.

That was up from 68 and 56 per cent, respectively, in 2004.

Hunter attributed the rising rate to more hands-on learning experiences in high school, where students can earn credits while working in a co-op placement or do real-world assignments as part of “Specialist High Skills Major” programs.

Graduation rates, however, continue to vary widely across the province, with the York Catholic board among the highest at 94 per cent after four years, and the Ontario North East school board at just 45.8 per cent.

Hunter also announced that in terms of technology, the ministry is pledging that “all students across Ontario will have access to the industry standard of one megabit — per second — per student.”