Florida Department of Education’s school ratings released on July 7 gave the Monroe County School District a “B” rating for the 2021-22 school year.
It’s the first time the education department released the school grade data since 2019, as a COVID-19 pandemic disrupted assessments during the 2019-20 school year. For much of the spring 2020 semester, students were learning at home in a virtual classroom format.
Grades handed to school districts across the state by the education department provide a way to measure a school’s performance, and it includes everything from test scores in English, math, science and social studies, progress of the lowest quartile of students, graduation rate and college and career acceleration.
Monroe County had five schools receive an “A” rating. They include Ocean Studies Charter School, Plantation Key School, Sigsbee Charter School, Sugarloaf School and Treasure Village Montessori School.
Seven schools received a “B” rating: Big Pine Academy Charter School, Coral Shores High School, Key Largo School, Key West High School, Marathon High School, May Sands Montessori School and Stanley Switlik Elementary School. And three schools received a “C” rating: Gerald Adams Elementary, Horace O’Bryant School and Poinciana Elementary School.
During the 2018-19 school year, before the pandemic altered class the next two years, the Monroe County School District had 10 schools with “A” grades and six schools with “B” grades. Overall, the school district had an “A” rating that year.
During the 2021-22 school year, the Monroe County School district received a “B” rating for the. The graduation rate was above 90% and the middle school acceleration rate was up five percentage points.
The Monroe County School District said the middle and combination schools continue to increase participation and performance in the advanced level coursework including algebra, geometry, and industry certifications. As a district, math achievement learning gains continue to remain competitive. The social studies achievement maintains its high performing status compared to other districts.
“Congratulations to our schools and thank you to all of our staff members for their hard work on behalf of students in the Monroe County Schools,” said Superintendent Theresa Axford in a press release issued on Thursday. “School and district grades never tell the full story of student success, but do help guide our efforts and assignment of resources to better meet student needs. Teachers and administrators worked very hard in supporting student achievement last year; they are to be commended for these results.”
The school grade calculation will be updated for the 2022-23 school year to reflect changes in the new Florida F.A.S.T. (Florida Assessment of Student Thinking) Assessments. Last September, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that the state would end the Florida Statewide Assessment and create F.A.S.T, which will monitor student progress and foster individual growth.
Additional information is available at the Florida Department of Education website at www.fldoe.org.
