Pensacola Schools Among Highest Performers in Florida Education Rankings

PENSACOLA, Fla. NewsWK — Florida‘s public school grades have been released, showing a strong performance across the state, including in our local districts. Over half of the school districts earned an A grade, with 34 districts receiving this top rating. In contrast, 23 districts were graded a B, while 10 received a C. Notably, no districts were assigned a D or F grade.

In our region, the performance of local school districts is reflected in these results. The Escambia County School District and Santa Rosa County schools are part of this educational landscape, contributing to the overall success of Florida’s public education system. These grades can impact funding, school resources, and community support for educational initiatives.

DeSoto County achieved the lowest score with only 53% of total possible points, followed by Gadsden (55%), Okeechobee (56%), and several others at 57%. On the other end of the spectrum, St. Johns County topped the list with a score of 76%, followed closely by Walton, Nassau, and Lafayette counties at 74%, and Indian River and Collier counties at 73%.

The assessment metrics included learning gains, proficiency in core subjects like English and math, graduation rates, and the number of students engaging in accelerated programs such as Advanced Placement (AP) and dual enrollment courses. Outgoing Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas stated, “Florida continues to prove that high expectations, expanded school choice and strong accountability produce real results for students.”

An A rating indicates that districts earned 65% or more of available points, while a B is awarded for scores between 60% and 64%, and a C for 45% to 59%. This year, 76% of high schools and elementary schools achieved an A or B, and 79% of middle schools earned the same ratings.

Lawmakers have discussed potential changes to the grading thresholds, suggesting that schools should not receive a B rating for scores as low as 60%, which could indicate student failure. This year, six schools received F grades, including Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Elementary in Alachua County and Virtual Preparatory Academy of Florida in Osceola County.

In alignment with state law, the threshold for grading will be raised next year, meaning that an A will require a score of 65% or higher. This year saw a notable increase in A-rated schools, with 205 more schools achieving this mark compared to last year, growing from 1,531 to 1,736, which is a 6% increase. Additionally, 88% of schools rated D or F last year showed improvement this year.

Kamoutsas also expressed gratitude to teachers and parents for their efforts, stating, “These results are worth celebrating, but they also challenge us to continue raising the bar. Together, we will build on this momentum, strengthen student achievement, and ensure even greater success for Florida’s schools in the years ahead.”