SOUTHWEST, Fla. (WINK) — As students return to classrooms across Southwest Florida, families are getting a closer look at how their schools performed last year.
For Ariel Almquist, whose daughter is starting kindergarten this year, back-to-school is about new opportunities.
“I’m excited for her to start kindergarten and just starting to get new friends and meet her teachers… she’s really excited.”
For Jessica Allen, who moved her children from private to public school, it’s about making sure they have the support they need to succeed.
“I transitioned my kids from private school to public school to take advantage of the accommodations that the public school offers. My experience has been pleasant. It really made a difference,” Allen said.
Those are the kinds of experiences families hope to find when they send their children to school—and the annual school grades offer one way to measure how districts are performing.
Schools can earn points in up to 12 accountability categories, and those points determine each school’s final letter grade. Schools also must test at least 95% of eligible students. Those points are then combined to determine each school’s final letter grade.
WINK Investigates examined school grades within our largest school districts: Charlotte, Lee or Collier counties.
This year, there was plenty to celebrate across the region.
No traditional public school in Charlotte, Lee or Collier counties received a D or F.
Still, a deeper dive into the data shows each district has its own successes—and its own challenges.
Charlotte County earns first A in 15 yearsCharlotte County Public Schools reached a major milestone, earning its first A district grade since 2011. The district increased its overall accountability score by 39 points, ranked 21st among Florida’s 67 school districts and finished among the state’s fastest-improving districts.
10 schools earned an A:
Deep Creek ElementaryFlorida SouthWestern Collegiate High SchoolL.A. Ainger Middle SchoolLemon Bay High SchoolLiberty ElementaryMeadow Park ElementaryPort Charlotte Middle SchoolPunta Gorda Middle SchoolSallie Jones ElementaryVineland Elementary
Only two schools earned a C, down from six the previous year, and no district-operated school received a D or F.
Charlotte County Schools that earned a “C” grade:
Peace River ElementaryNeil Armstrong ElementaryCharlotte County Superintendent Mark Vianello was not available for an interview with WINK Investigates but did send the following statement:
“Our A district rating is proof that sustained focus, collaboration, and a commitment to continuous improvement produce meaningful results for students. I could not be more proud of what our schools have accomplished together. We will celebrate this milestone, but we will also continue challenging ourselves to provide every student with the opportunities and support they need to succeed.”
Collier County remains among Florida’s elite
The district earned an A rating for the ninth consecutive year and finished sixth out of Florida’s 67 school districts.
The district says only one district larger or comparable in student population scored higher, and no district with a comparable percentage of English Language Learners (ELL) students scored as high as CCPS.
Among traditional public schools, 51 of 52 earned either an A or B, with none receiving a D or F.
Superintendent Dr. Leslie Ricciardelli sat down with WINK Investigates to talk about school grades.
“I think it’s the consistency of support that we provide to the schools… consistency in leadership, consistency in support,” Ricciardelli said.
Seven schools improved to an A this year:
Eden Park Elementary (first A)Everglades City SchoolGolden Gate ElementaryHerbert Cambridge ElementaryHighlands ElementaryLake Trafford ElementaryVillage Oaks Elementary
“It’s really hard to keep stable numbers… but the love and the passion are there for the kids and the families… I’m really proud of their efforts,” Ricciardelli said.
Not every school improved. Pinecrest Elementary dropped from an A to a C after earning A ratings the previous two years.
Ricciardelli said the district is already working with school leaders.
“We’re looking into it. We’re supporting the staff, supporting the principal… I can tell you that is priority number one,” Ricciardelli said.
She said every school faces unique challenges and believes Pinecrest has the leadership to recover.
“I have no doubt they’ll pick it back up. I’m not worried about them… they’ll take it personally, and they’re going to fix it.,” Ricciardelli said.
Ricciardelli said charter schools receive district support even though they operate independently.
“They’re still part of us. We are part of the same team,” Ricciardelli said. “Whatever it is they need, we are here to provide the support.”
Looking ahead, Ricciardelli said she’s confident the district can maintain its success even as Florida raises grading standards.
”I’m never afraid of the challenge. And really, we’ve really been very consistent. I think we’ll be just fine. They’ve done it before. We’ll continue to prove ourselves.”
Lee County posts strongest performance in more than a decade
29 schools improved their grades and no traditional public school earned a D or F.
The district now has 24 A-rated schools and 29 B-rated schools.
Several schools improved by two letter grades, including Tortuga Preserve Elementary, J. Colin English Elementary, Hancock Creek Elementary, and San Carlos Park Elementary.
Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin told WINK Investigates she’s “over the moon” with the school grades.
“Really proud of our students and our teachers and our principals for the great job they did this past school year,” Carlin said.
She explained the district’s improvement comes from focusing on student performance throughout the school year, not just at testing time.
“We don’t wait for the end-of-the-year test. We look every week at how children are doing, and then we make instructional decisions based on what’s next for them,” Carlin said.
Despite the progress, Carlin said the district still has work to do.
“I want to see no C schools, no Ds or Fs. It’s not about the accolade. It’s about more children walking across that stage at graduation,” Carlin said. “That’s what I’m after as superintendent.”
30 traditional public schools remain C-rated, which are:
Allen Park ElementaryAnamecer ElementaryBonita Springs ElementaryColonial ElementaryEdgewood AcademyFranklin Park ElementaryG. Weaver Hipps ElementaryLehigh ElementaryOrange River ElementaryPatriot ElementaryPelican ElementarySkyline ElementarySunshine ElementaryTice ElementaryFort Myers Middle SchoolLehigh Acres Middle SchoolLemuel Teal Middle SchoolOak Hammock Middle SchoolVarsity Lakes Middle SchoolDunbar High SchoolEast Lee County High SchoolIsland Coast High SchoolLehigh Senior High SchoolMariner High SchoolRiverdale High SchoolSouth Fort Myers High SchoolJames Stephens Community SchoolNorth Fort Myers Academy for the ArtsVeterans Park Academy for the Arts
“For every single school, there is a strategic plan that has been designed,” Carlin said. “We’re going to make sure, working with your partner as the regional associate superintendent, that there’s a strategy in place or two that can help your school get back on track.
And we know all of our schools can continue to move forward.”
Teachers see room to improve
Teacher aide Maddalena Tumminaro says the school narrowly missed moving up a letter grade.
“We just missed it by two points. We’ll do better,” Tumminaro said. “Our kids are good… I have faith in our teachers. We’re going to do it.”
This year’s grades may not be easy to repeat.More than 75% of schools statewide earned an A or B.
Next year’s grades will be released after the school year ends.
If you have a story you’d like WINK Investigates to look into email us at winkinvestigates@winknews.com or call our tip line at 239-344-5074.