News Summary
Duval County Public Schools has reached an impressive ‘A’ grade for the school year, a milestone announced by Governor Ron DeSantis. This advancement from a ‘B’ rating signifies substantial progress, attributed to the dedicated efforts of instructional staff and community partners. With 59 schools now classified as ‘Overall A’ schools, the district is seeing considerable improvements. A focus on student assessment and a commitment to educational excellence promise to continue this positive trend, further supported by significant state funding for teacher pay and new initiatives for professional development.
Jacksonville – Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) has achieved a historic milestone by earning an “A” grade for the 2025 school year, marking the first time the district has reached this level. The significant announcement was made by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during a press conference held at Oceanway Elementary School. This remarkable improvement showcases the district’s advancement from a “B” rating in 2024 to an “A” rating in 2025.
The achievement reflects the collective effort of instructional staff, principals, School Board members, district leaders, and community partners, according to DCPS Superintendent Christopher Bernier. He highlighted that these positive results are not solely attributed to test scores, but also represent strong vision, leadership, and continual dedication at the school level.
As a result of this accomplishment, a total of 59 schools within Duval County have now attained the status of “Overall A” schools, while 53 schools are classified as “Overall B” schools. The Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) exams played a crucial role in determining these school grades, with assessments conducted three times throughout the school year.
Florida’s Commissioner of Education, Anastasios Kamoutsas, noted the benefits of progress monitoring testing in enhancing student success. Governor DeSantis further asserted that Florida schools are witnessing improvements overall, with 71% of all graded schools achieving either an “A” or “B.” This statistic underscores the positive trend being observed throughout the state’s educational system.
Noteworthy highlights from individual school performances include Oceanway Elementary School, which remarkably improved from a “C” to an “A.” Similarly, Andrew Jackson High School elevated its rating from a “C” to an “A.” Other schools making significant progress include Annie R. Morgan Elementary, which rose from an “F” to a “C,” Holiday Hill Elementary, which advanced from a “C” to an “A,” and Northwestern Legends Elementary, which improved from a “D” to a “B.”
In addition to the grading success, the state has allocated $1.36 billion for teacher pay in the 2025 budget, representing an increase of $102 million compared to the previous year. This funding aims to support and enhance the overall quality of education within the state. Additionally, a new initiative known as the “Civic Seal of Excellence Program” has been introduced to encourage teachers who complete specialized civics training, offering a $3,000 bonus as an incentive for participation and professional development.
To maintain the momentum of their success, DCPS plans to launch a year-long communication effort titled “Duval Delivers.” This initiative aims to highlight the achievements of schools and share success stories consistently throughout the year, reinforcing the commitment to educational excellence within the community.
This historic “A” rating for Duval County Public Schools marks a significant achievement in the trajectory of the district’s educational standards and outcomes, promising continued improvements and a strong focus on the educational development of students in the coming years.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Duval County Schools Achieves First ‘A’ Grade
Duval County Schools Announce New Scheduling Changes
Annual Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive to Support Students
Jacksonville Secures $4.35 Million for Public Safety Projects
Back to School Events in Jacksonville Gear Up Families
Jacksonville’s Annual ‘Stuff the Bus’ School Supply Drive Supports Local Students
Duval County Public Schools Achieves Historic A Grade
Duval County Schools Achieve First Countywide ‘A’ Grade
Celebrating 25 Years of High School Softball Excellence
Duval County Public Schools Achieves First ‘A’ Grade for Student Achievement
Additional Resources
- Jacksonville Opinion Letters
- News4JAX: DCPS Performance
- Action News Jax: DCPS History
- First Coast News: School Grades
- WOKV: Duval Achieves A Grade
- Wikipedia: Duval County Public Schools
- Google Search: Florida education system
- Google Scholar: student performance Florida
- Encyclopedia Britannica: education system Florida
- Google News: Duval County Public Schools achievements
