Florida’s public school grades are out, and more than half of them are A rated.
Thirty-four districts received an A. Twenty-three were graded a B. Ten districts were a C. No districts had a D or F.
DeSoto County scored the lowest, earning 53% of total possible points. The next lowest were Gadsden (55%), Okeechobee (56%) and Hamilton, Hardee, Holmes, Madison, and Putnam (57%).
Top performers were St. Johns (76%), Walton, Nassau, and Lafayette (74%), and Indian River and Collier (73%).
The metrics are learning gains and scores in English, math, science, social studies; graduation rate; and students pursuing accelerated courses like AP, IB, dual enrollment, and industry certification.
“Florida continues to prove that high expectations, expanded school choice and strong accountability produce real results for students,” outgoing Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas said in a news release.
An A means districts earned 65% of available points or more. B is 60% to 64% and a C is 45% to 59%.
This year, 76% of high schools and elementary schools had an A or B and 79% of middle schools earned an A or B.
Lawmakers in recent years have discussed changing the threshold, saying that students would be failing if they scored, say, a 60%, while schools are labeled with an B for scoring 60%.
Indeed, the scores this year triggered a state law requiring the threshold to be raised next year: if 75% or more of schools are an A, the threshold must be raised. Next year, an A will be 65% and higher.
Statewide, in 2026 there were 205 more schools with an A compared to 2025, increasing from 1,531 to 1,736. That represents a 6% increase.
According to the department, 88% of D and F schools last year improved this year.
Last year, the grading required lower thresholds than this year. As a result, at the time, the department predicted 12 districts rated A then would no longer receive that mark this year. That proved false, with five more districts scoring an A this year compared to last.
Two years ago, 22 counties scored an A.
“I want to thank our teachers and parents for the important work they do each day to help students achieve their full potential. 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,” Kamoutsas said.
