Florida – July 26, 2024 – The latest statewide school grades have been released, highlighting a notable rise in performance across Florida, with charter schools showcasing impressive gains. The grades, which reflect student achievement, growth, and overall school performance, underscore a positive trend in the quality of education and success of educational choice in Florida.
According to the newly released data from the Florida Department of Education, charter schools have demonstrated remarkable progress in several key areas. The 2023-2024 school year results indicate continued improvement over last year. In 2024, nearly 1,300 schools earned an “A” grade, a 6% point increase over 2023. Charter schools across the state also continued to make gains. Of the 602 charter schools graded in 2024, 67% received an “A” or “B,” 43% earned an A or increased their letter grade, and 15% earned an “A” for the fifth consecutive year. Charter schools have made strides in closing achievement gaps, with notable improvements in performance among minority and historically underserved student populations. This year’s grades are a testament to the innovative approaches and dedicated efforts of educators and administrators within the charter school movement.
“For 28 years, charter schools in Florida have been providing a high-quality education option for families. Their strategy to tailor to each student’s needs and talents has truly paid off. We are confident that charter schools — in partnership with parents and dedicated educators — will build on this success and continue to deliver outstanding educational outcomes for a diverse population of students,” said Lynn Norman-Teck, Executive Director, Florida Charter School Alliance.
Key Highlights from the FLDOE data:
- 49.96% of charter schools graded earned an “A”, 33.22% of non-charter schools earned an A in 2024
- 67% of charter schools graded (602) earned an “A” or “B” in 2024; 61% of non-charter schools graded earned an “A” or “B” in 2024
- 43% of charter schools graded (602) increased their grade or maintained an “A” in 2024
- 53% of all schools increased their grade or maintained an “A” in 2024
- 15% of charter schools graded earned an “A” for the 5th consecutive year
- 31% or 33 out of 107 charter schools with graduation rates have a 100% graduation rate. There are 502 district schools with graduation rates, and 52 (10.36%) have a 100% graduation rate
- Based on the Total % of Points Earned, two charter schools are ranked among the top 10 schools in Florida: Mater Academy East Prep and Pensacola State Charter
- Based on the Total % of Points Earned, 5 charter schools are ranked among the top 20 schools in Florida: Mater Academy East Prep. Pensacola State Charter, Somerset Academy Miramar South, Doral Academy South, and Clark Advanced Learning Center
Manny Diaz, Jr., Commissioner of Education, praised the achievements, stating, “This year’s school grades reflect Florida’s steadfast commitment to excellence in education. Under Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership, we have continued to raise the bar for providing students with a quality education that suits their individual needs, and these school grades are proof positive that our approach is working.”
The results of this year’s school grades are a clear indicator of the positive impact that charter schools are having on our state’s education system. Their commitment to educational excellence and innovative practices is driving significant improvements and providing students with valuable opportunities for success.
For more information about Florida charter schools, contact Lynn@FLCharterAlliance.org.
About the FCSA
The Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA), advocates for, defends, and collaborates with public charter schools to influence legislative policy and environments. The voice of the charter school movement, FCSA is the only statewide non-profit, member-driven association representing charter schools and the more than 397,000 students they serve. FCSA member schools run the gamut of choice educational programs – from urban to rural campuses, programs specializing in exceptional students or drop-off prevention to unique classical curriculum, and college-prep programs in high-need areas. Yet all our member schools have a common thread – a steadfast commitment to raising the bar on public education and providing a quality education option to the children and communities they serve.
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To access the FLDOE grades report, visit School Grades.
Florida Department of Education Announces 2024 School Grades Under New School Grading Scale – On July 24, 2024, the Florida’s State Board of Education approved an updated school grade today. Greenlighting a propsoal from the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), the new scale raises the performance bar for Middle, High and Combination schools. Elementary schools will use the scale that was previously used from 2014-15 to 2021-22. According to an FLDOE press release, “this approach takes into consideration the different components included in the school grade formula for different school types and ensures our school grades accurately reflect the performance of our schools.”