The Kansas athletic department posted its highest Graduation Success Rate (GSR) ever, helped by six teams — including men’s basketball — that achieved perfect scores.

The numbers were released by the NCAA on Thursday afternoon.

KU saw its GSR grow to 85 percent, up from 79 percent last year and the highest ever for the department since the statistic was created in 2003.

KU men’s basketball, men’s golf, women’s cross country/track, softball, tennis and volleyball all had perfect GSRs, meaning for a four-year average all student-athletes either graduated or left the program in good academic standing.

“We expect quality results like this from our student-athletes,” KU athletic director Sheahon Zenger said. “We insist on responsibility in their personal lives and competitive excellence on the field of play. That is the best way to compete for conference and national championships, while at the same time preparing for a competitive world after college.”

There is no NCAA penalty for a poor GSR score and also no reward. The number, however, does provide a more accurate snapshot of student-athlete academic performance than the federal graduation rate, as the Graduation Success Rate includes transfer students and student-athletes who leave in good academic standing.

With the perfect score, KU men’s basketball posted its highest four-year GSR ever and is significantly higher than the sport’s national rate of 68 percent. As a department, the Jayhawks’ cumulative four-year average was five points higher than the national average of 80 percent.