The Florida Department of Education released school grades last week and Monroe County Schools showed significant gains across all areas, according to a statement from the school district.
Six schools improved a letter grade and 10 schools maintained their grade from last year. Poinciana Elementary, Plantation School, Treasure Village Montessori and Somerset Prep each improved to an A grade. Key Largo School moved to a B grade and May Sands Montessori improved to a C.
Overall, there were eight A-graded schools in the district: Poinciana Elementary, Plantation Key School, Sigsbee Charter School, College of the Florida Keys (CFK) Academy, Ocean Studies Charter, Somerset Prep Academy, Treasure Village Montessori; six B-graded schools: Coral Shores High School, Key West High School, Marathon Middle/High School, Sugarloaf School, Stanley Switlik Elementary, Key Largo School; and three C-graded schools: Gerald Adams Elementary, Horace O’Bryant School, May Sands Montessori.
CFK Academy is the district’s newest charter school, and its leaders said they are proud of their initial accomplishments with an A grade.
“Just a few years ago, we set a vision to establish new educational opportunities to further serve the families of our community,” said CFK President Jonathan Gueverra. “Today, we have an A grade high school that demonstrates our commitment to academic excellence and innovation. CFK employees and especially CFK Academy principal Wendy McPherson and her staff have put an incredible amount of time, energy and creativity to get the Academy functioning at its peak.”
One of the most noteworthy improvements was in learning gains. Monroe County School District is close to reaching its strategic plan’s goal of 62% learning gains overall with 61% in math and 60% in English/language arts.
The district received an overall grade of B, earning 62% points overall, just two percentage points from an A. With this improvement, the district moves up in state rankings from 36th to 26th place among all 60 or so Florida school districts.
“I am very proud of the work we have done in the district,” said Superintendent Theresa Axford. “Principals and teachers have been focused and it has made a difference for our students.”
