After missing it by\u00a0one-quarter of a percentage point last year, Charlotte County Schools is officially celebrating achieving A status.<\/p>\n
In an announcement Wednesday, the district said the\u00a0rating, given by\u00a0the Florida Department of Education, is its first A rating in 15 years.<\/p>\n
CCPS joins the ranks with Sarasota County Schools, who announced its A rating for the 23rd consecutive year in a row on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The distinction places the district among the top third of school districts in Florida, according to the news release.<\/p>\n
Charlotte County Public Schools attributed its success to “significant academic growth and continued progress” across schools that resulted in a 39-point increase in overall accountability points compared to the previous year.<\/p>\n
Now, CCPS is among Florida\u2019s top 16 fastest-improving school districts and ranked No. 21 out of Florida\u2019s 67 school districts.<\/p>\n
The announcement said the district reduced the number of C-rated schools from six to two, with no district-operated schools earning a D or F rating.<\/p>\n
10 CCPS schools earned an A rating:<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Just last year, both Meadow Park and Punta Gorda Middle were at a C-rating.<\/p>\n
Superintendent Mark Vianello said the achievement is the result of the collective efforts of students and families, staff and community partners.<\/p>\n
He called it a “tremendous achievement” and a “proud moment” for the district, per the announcement.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen a community comes together to support its students, extraordinary things happen,” Vianello said. “This A belongs to all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n
The district\u2019s A rating reflects progress across multiple groups the state measures, including student achievement, learning gains, graduation outcomes and college and career readiness indicators.<\/p>\n
One elected officially chimed in on the successful school year in the announcement.<\/p>\n
\u201cCharlotte County\u2019s strong support for public education made this achievement possible,\u201d School Board Chair John LeClair said. \u201cOn behalf of the Charlotte County School Board, I could not be more proud of what we have accomplished together. This achievement belongs to our students, employees, families, and the entire community that continues to support and invest in public education.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sarasota County Schools celebrated its status Wednesday as well, noting in a news release that all of its district-managed schools have an A or B grade.<\/p>\n
“Sarasota also saw a 32-point increase in its overall score within the state\u2019s accountability system compared to last year, signaling meaningful academic gains,” it stated.<\/p>\n
It highlighted Emma E. Booker Elementary and Booker Middle, with those schools earning an A grade. It was the the “first time since the inception of the school grade system and all district-managed middle schools earning an A,” it stated.<\/p>\n
In the last three years, the district has gone from 24 A schools to 35 A schools; while deceasing B schools from eight to five and improving with six C schools going to zero, it noted.<\/p>\n
Area schools that improved include: North Port’s Atwater Elementary School going from B to A; Venice’s Garden Elementary School going from a B to A; North Port’s Glenallen Elementary School going from a B to A; and North Port’s Woodland Middle School going from a B to A.<\/p>\n
District officials praised its educators, students, families along with district leaders and staff for the improvements.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese results reflect an extraordinary level of commitment across our district, and we are incredibly proud of the hard work behind them,\u201d Superintendent Terry Connor stated in the news release. \u201cReaching milestones like 100% of our schools earning an \u2018A\u2019 or \u2018B,\u2019 schools earning \u2018A\u2019 grades for the first time, and historic gains at so many campuses speaks to what is possible when our teachers, leaders, staff, students, and families work together with a shared focus on success. This is a moment to celebrate and to continue building on.\u201d<\/p>\n
More school grades is available at:<\/p>\n