Today is July 2, 2026, and there’s a buzz in the air around Lake County. Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced some pretty exciting news: over 60% of students in Florida have met or surpassed state expectations for the 2025-26 school year. It’s a big deal, especially when you consider how hard the schools have been working to improve educational outcomes.
Lake County Schools are riding high on this wave of success, proudly earning an ‘A’ grade from the Florida Department of Education for the first time since 2008! This achievement is based on test scores from the 2024-25 school year, and you can bet Superintendent Diane Kornegay is beaming with pride. She emphasized a commitment to continued excellence, and it shows—students made significant strides in all tested areas, from English Language Arts to Science and Social Studies. Just look at those numbers!
Celebrating Success in Lake County
In Lake County, eleven public schools snagged an ‘A’ rating this year—four more than last year! That’s a fantastic improvement. Overall, 80% of middle schools and 87% of high schools in the district also received an ‘A’ or ‘B’ rating. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of teachers and students alike.
What’s behind this surge in performance? Well, it turns out a lot of it comes down to smart collaboration among teachers through Professional Learning Teams, a focus on grade and course standards, and data-driven instruction to pinpoint and address learning gaps. It’s all about working together and staying focused, and clearly, it’s paying off.
Sumter County is not far behind, either. The district has seen significant boosts in performance, particularly in mathematics for middle and high schools. Notably, they’re making steady progress in reading skills across multiple grade levels. It’s encouraging to see such dedication to education in both counties!
Looking Ahead
In addition to the impressive grades, some changes are on the horizon. Two schools in Leesburg are set to merge in the school year after next, which should streamline operations and enhance student experiences. Plus, the newly opened Fruitland Park Elementary School and the ongoing renovations at Eustis Elementary are sure to create a more engaging learning environment for students.
It’s not just about the grades, though. Last year was packed with memorable events, including students having a chat with a NASA astronaut in space. Talk about inspiration! And let’s not forget the importance of strong leadership—Diane Kornegay has been recognized as one of the best superintendents in Florida, which only adds to the positive vibe in Lake County.
With over 70% of graded public schools in Florida earning an ‘A’ or ‘B’, it’s clear that the state is pushing for educational excellence. The focus on improving teaching methods, combined with enthusiastic community support, makes for a promising future. Who knows what other achievements are on the horizon?
If you want to dive deeper into how these schools are performing, check out the full details in the article from Daily Commercial and more insights from Lake and Sumter Style. There’s so much to be proud of in Lake County, and it’s exciting to see how these changes will shape the future of education in our communities!