Monroe County Schools Soar to 'A' Rating as Students Return for New Year!

Monroe County Schools Soar to 'A' Rating as Students Return for New Year!

The start of the school year in Monroe County, Florida, brings a wave of excitement as students return to their classrooms, ready to learn and engage. Nearly 700 students are attending Key Largo School this year, a notable decrease from the 1,000 students enrolled before the COVID-19 pandemic. This drop in enrollment can be largely attributed to the rising living costs in the beautiful yet challenging Florida Keys, where the sun shines bright but the prices sometimes soar higher than the palm trees.

In stark contrast to previous years, this school year marks a triumphant turn of events, as all schools in the district have achieved an A rating, an impressive climb from a B rating last year. According to Local 10 News, Principal Darren Pais of Key Largo School credits this success to the district’s commitment to “rigor and relationships,” emphasizing that parent involvement and student engagement are key factors in achieving academic excellence.

Highlights of the New School Year

Adding to the school’s vibrancy, many new educators are joining the ranks, promising a wealth of fresh ideas and energy to the classroom. Teacher Kyle Harrison shares his excitement about the school’s A rating and looks forward to a fruitful year ahead. The school continues to participate in the AVID program, which is designed to enhance college and career readiness among students. Additionally, Key Largo School holds the designation of a Title One school, highlighting its efforts to provide ample opportunities for all students to succeed.

However, it’s worth noting that not all news is quite as rosy as it seems. In July, the Florida Department of Education released new school ratings that reflect a broader trend in the district, with Monroe County receiving a B rating during the 2021-22 school year. This was the first release of school grades since 2019, overshadowed by the disruptions of COVID-19. The ratings measure school performance based on test scores, student progress, graduation rates, and college/career acceleration, as reported by Keys Weekly.

Challenges and Achievements

Despite the drop in overall rating, five schools within the district have managed to maintain an A rating, including Ocean Studies Charter School, Plantation Key School, Sigsbee Charter School, Sugarloaf School, and Treasure Village Montessori School. On the flip side, several institutions received a B rating, including Big Pine Academy and Coral Shores High School, while three schools were rated C, highlighting the varied landscape of educational quality in the area.

Looking back to the 2018-19 school year, Monroe County boasted ten schools with A grades and six with B grades, resulting in an overall A rating for the district. The shift is palpable, yet there are rays of hope; the graduation rate for the 2021-22 school year exceeded 90%, and there was a five-percentage point increase in middle school acceleration rates. Participation in advanced coursework has also improved, indicating a commitment to academic rigor even amid challenges.

As the new school year gets underway, Superintendent Theresa Axford acknowledges the dedicated efforts of staff in supporting student achievement, while changes in how school grades are calculated are on the horizon. These adjustments, stemming from the introduction of the new Florida F.A.S.T. Assessments, aim to better reflect the academic landscape moving forward.

While Monroe County faces challenges associated with fluctuating ratings, the enthusiasm at Key Largo School and across the district inspires hope for a productive school year. For anyone living in the Keys, there’s something to be said for the resilience of our community’s commitment to education.