News Summary
Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) has reached a significant milestone by earning its first countywide ‘A’ grade for student achievement in over 20 years. This achievement was announced by state officials and reflects considerable progress within the district, as 99% of non-charter public schools now receive grades of ‘A,’ ‘B,’ or ‘C.’ The improvements are expected to positively influence the local economy and housing market. Despite the success, the district remains focused on enhancing areas such as student reading scores.
Jacksonville, Florida — Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) has achieved a historic milestone by earning its first countywide “A” grade for student achievement for the 2024-25 school year, according to an announcement made by state officials on July 7. This accomplishment marks the first time in over 20 years that the county has reached an “A” grade, having held a “B” rating in previous years.
Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled the grade results during an event at Oceanway Elementary School, accompanied by Florida’s education commissioner, Anastasios Kamoutsas. In the lead-up to this announcement, Superintendent Christopher Bernier expressed a desire to display the “A” grade prominently to celebrate the district’s achievement during a School Board meeting on July 1.
The district had come close to receiving this improved grade in past years, with Bernier noting that they were “within percentage points” of achieving an “A” previously. Incremental improvements made by the district over recent years have played a significant role in this notable upgrade. The number of schools receiving “D” or “F” grades has decreased, resulting in a wider range of schools now earning grades from “A” to “C.”
As a result, 99% of public, non-charter schools in the county earned grades classified as “A,” “B,” or “C,” demonstrating an impressive improvement. The number of schools achieving these grades rose significantly from 91% to 99% in just one academic year. Additionally, 59 schools within the district improved their ratings to an “A,” including Andrew Jackson High School, which celebrated its first-ever “A” grade after advancing from a “C.”
Education activists expressed their enthusiasm for the district’s progress, highlighting the crucial contributions of educators and school leaders to this achievement. The enhancement of school grades is seen as beneficial not only for students and families but also for the local economy. Bernier emphasized that the improved performance could influence business relocations and housing market dynamics within the area.
The transition from “B” grades to achieving an “A” grade is anticipated to positively impact home prices and demand in the region. As the area continues to improve, DCPS is committed to maintaining this upward trend through various initiatives. To reinforce their momentum, the district plans to launch a year-long campaign titled “Duval Delivers,” which will feature success stories from schools and highlight effective instructional practices.
While the achievement of an “A” grade is a reason for celebration, Superintendent Bernier acknowledged that there are still areas requiring attention, particularly concerning student reading scores, indicating a continued focus on enhancement and growth. The achievements of Duval County Public Schools reflect the hard work and dedication of those involved in the education sector and set a promising precedent for future academic success.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Schools in Duval County Achieve Historic A Grades
Duval County Schools Achieve Historic ‘A’ Grade in Florida Rankings
Duval County Public Schools Achieves Historic A Grade
Duval County School Board Approves Boundaries for Middle Schools
Jacksonville Secures Funding for Safety and Infrastructure Improvements
Florida Firefighters Warn Golf Cart Owners of Fire Risks
DeSantis Cuts Florida Budget by Millions, Impacting Local Projects
Jacksonville Declared Most Boring City in America
Duval County Schools See Improvement in Test Scores
School District Responds to Teacher’s Misconduct Incident
Additional Resources
- First Coast News: Duval County Public Schools Grade
- Wikipedia: Jacksonville
- News4Jax: Impact of DCPS A Grade
- Google Search: Duval County Public Schools
- First Coast News: School HQ Shift
- Google Scholar: Duval County schools education system
- News4Jax: DCPS Superintendent A Grade History
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jacksonville, Florida
- Jacksonville.com: Duval County A Grade
- Google News: Duval County Public Schools education news
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
