Florida Schools Shine: 28 Districts Earn Top A Ratings in New Grades!

Hamilton County, Florida, USA - As the new school year unfolds, the Florida Department of Education has released its annual school district grades, and the results are a delightful mix of triumphs and challenges. New laws took effect on July 1, 2025, setting the stage for these grades that reveal a snapshot of educational performance across the state. As of July 8, 2025, 28 districts have proudly donned an A rating, while another 31 districts scored a commendable B. Notably, none of Florida’s districts received D or F ratings this year, a significant achievement that signifies progress in student achievement, learning gains, and graduation rates, highlighting the educational strides being made across the state. According to Jacksonville.com, the Florida Department of Education bases these grades on a well-defined grading scale: A for 64% of points or greater, B for 57% to 63%, and C for 44% to 56% of points.

Among the top performers, Nassau County and St. Johns County both achieved a rating of 74%. Nassau County boasts impressive scores in various subjects, including a graduation rate of 92% and a commendable 79% in mathematics achievement. Meanwhile, St. Johns shines even brighter with a graduation rate of 95%. Specifically, their English Language Arts Achievement is at 76%, and social science achievement stands at a remarkable 91%—proof that these districts are not just meeting standards but setting them.

Treasure Coast Takes the Spotlight

Over on the Treasure Coast, local pride is palpable as every school district in the region hit notable milestones. St. Lucie County Schools received their first-ever „A“ grade, marking a significant turning point in their educational landscape, while Martin County celebrated its first „A“ since 2019. In fact, Indian River County secured its third consecutive „A,“ and together, these districts reported no failing schools for the first time since 1999. It’s hard to overstate the importance of these achievements—each school here received at least a „C,“ with improvements across the board, including Indiantown High School boosting its grades from two consecutive „D“ ratings to an „A,“ as detailed by Warriors Wire.

In St. Lucie County, the focus on professional teacher development has paid off immensely. Superintendent Jon Prince highlighted the significant improvements in reading and math scores, reflecting the district’s commitment to enhancing educational practices and outcomes. The district did particularly well with graduate rates tripling, a success story that paints a hopeful picture for educators and students alike.

Top and Bottom of the Class

In terms of rankings, while Florida has much to celebrate, the state still faces challenges, particularly with its lowest-rated school district, Gadsden County. Scoring at just 49%, Gadsden’s statistics reveal a graduation rate of 74%, accompanied by concerning achievement rates of only 37% in English Language Arts and mathematics. Its scores in social sciences and sciences weren’t much better, emphasizing the work that lies ahead to uplift these students to meet state standards.

• Top School Districts:
  • Nassau County: 74%
  • St. Johns County: 74%
  • Lafayette County: 73%
  • Walton County: 73%
  • Collier County: 71%
• Bottom School Districts:
  • Gadsden County: 49%
  • Jefferson County: 51%
  • Hamilton County: 52%
  • Okeechobee County: 53%
  • Madison County: 54%

Overall, it’s clear that Florida is making strides in education, as highlighted by the Florida Department of Education’s accountability report. As we assess the academic progress made thus far, it’s crucial we continue supporting initiatives that focus on student learning gains and resource allocation. This mix of celebration and reflection will help pave the way to ensure that all counties, particularly those lagging behind, move forward together in pursuit of educational success, as chronicled in the Florida Department of Education’s reports.