State school grades improve

South Florida’s districts maintain same overall ratings as previous year

Florida schools celebrated another year of gains in the closely watched state grades, as they followed a state trend of more A’s and few F’s.

South Florida’s school districts maintained the same overall grades as last year, with Broward maintaining a B and Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties receiving A’s, based on how well students performed on standardized tests and other academic measures.

Still, Broward showed growth from last year, with 105 A’s, up from 86 last year. B’s fell slightly from from 71 to 68, C’s fell from 114 to 101, while D’s fell from 19 to 13. Broward received no F’s at district-run schools this year, the first time that’s happened in nearly a decade.

Palm Beach County received 89 A’s, up from 83 last year; 45 B’s, up from 43; 59 C’s, down from 64, and four F’s, down from five. The district’s only F-rated school last year, Glade View Elementary in Belle Glade, climbed to a C.

In Miami-Dade County, the number of A’s increased slightly from 201 to 203, B’s climbed from 121 to 129, C’s dropped from 102 to 97 and D’s dropped from seven to six. Miami-Dade had no F schools this year. Its only F last year, Arts Academy of Excellence charter school in Opa-locka, received a D this year.

School grades are closely watched in Florida, as they affect everything from teacher pay to housing prices. Schools rated C or lower often face a large number of students leaving for charter schools or magnet or choice programs in more successful schools. Teachers receive bonuses if their schools receive an A or improve a letter grade.

Schools statewide have consistently improved since 2015 when the state overhauled the grading system, using the Florida Standards Assessment, a tougher standardized test than previous ones. This year, 74% of schools receiving A’s or B’s, up from 61% last year.

In Broward, one charter school was Frated, Championship Academy of Distinction

High in Davie.

North Side Elementary in Fort Lauderdale, the only F-rated district-run school last year, improved to a C.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High maintained its A, despite some drops in student achievement from 2017. The state exempted students from testing last year because of the massacre that killed 17 students in February 2018. The school in Parkland was allowed to remain A-rated.

Several charter schools received their first A grades, including Rise Academy School of Science and Technology, which opened in 2010. The school was F-rated in 2015, but it shot up to a B the next year, which it maintained for two more years.

“We’re just elated. Our principal Adriana Guerra worked very very hard in making this happen, and it’s been a long time coming,” said Carmella Morton, the school’s founder and executive director. “We got very close two years in a row with a very high B, barely missing an A.”

Another charter school, Somerset Village Academy in Wilton Manors, also received an A, the first time it’s gotten a grade higher than a C.

Among district-run elementary schools, Wilton Manors, Nova Blanche Forman in Davie, and Silver Shores in Miramar all climbed from a C to an A. Among high schools, Everglades High

got its first A grade since 2015.

Broward was hoping to receive iths first overall A since Superintendent Robert Runcie took over in 2011. Last year, district officials said they barely missed an A grade. Although it fell short again, Runcie said he’s pleased with the progress.

“Our long-term trends continue to indicate more students are achieving at a level needed for college, career, and life-readiness,” he said.

In Palm Beach County, Jupiter Elementary and Montesorri Academy of Early Enrichment in Greenacres both jumped from a C to an A. Coral Sunset Elementary, west of Boca Raton, and Loxahatchee Groves Elementary both got their first A’s in five years.

“The fact that dozens of district-operated schools improved their ratings shows that our educators are setting high expectations, encouraging improvement and working hard to motivate students and prepare them for post-graduate success,” Palm Beach Schools Superintendent Donald Fennoy said.

Several schools in Miami-Dade also climbed from a a C to an A, including Amelia Earhart Elementary in Hialeah and Howard Drive Elementary and Scott Lake Elementary, both in Miami.

“This achievement resoundingly demonstrates the great commitment of our students, teachers, school and district leaders, and support staff, as well as the inspired leadership of our School Board,” Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said.

This year, Orange County joined Miami-Dade and Palm Beach County as an A-rated large district. Hillsborough and Duval remained B’s. The number of A-rated district increased from 20 to 24 out of 67. No district was rated lower than a C.

“Today’s announcement shows we are on a successful trajectory,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said. “We are resolute in our continued efforts to ensure that Florida students have the chance to receive a world-class education regardless of their circumstance.”

“Our long-term trends continue to indicate more students are achieving at a level needed for college, career, and lifereadiness.” Broward Superintendent Robert Runcie