Duval Schools are getting better, according to the Florida Department of Education.
In grades released Thursday, the percentage of Duval schools graded A, B or C increased to 93%. That’s an 88% increase from 2018-2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Duval County has no failing traditional schools. The number of schools with D grades dropped from 17 to 10.
“This has been the most challenging school year in my career. And it challenged me to continue to think about why I continue to do this job,” Superintendent Diana Greene said in a video released to the media. “This is why. Knowing that we impacted students in a positive way,”
Overall, Duval County Schools maintained an overall B grade from the state. Clay, Nassau and St. Johns all received A’s. Baker scored a B and Putnam a C.
Statewide, schools “far exceeded expectations,” the Department of Education said in a news release.
All schools graded F in 2019 improved their grades in 2022, including one that earned a B and six that earned a C. Eighty-four percent of schools graded D and F in 2019 improved their grades in 2022, the department said.
Schools were able to opt out of the grading system last year because of the pandemic.
A school’s grade is based on a number of factors: achievement, learning gains, graduation rate, college and career acceleration, and others.
Greene, the Duval superintendent, wants to be clear: While there is celebration that no schools within the district are failing, more work lies ahead.
“Are we where we want to be? No. But our communities can be proud of Duval County Public Schools,” Greene said. “They can be proud that they send their students to Duval County Public Schools, or they support Duval County Public Schools. Because we have shown that even in the midst of adversity we can still thrive as a school district.”
There was a decline in the overall number of A and B schools; however, three schools being monitored by the state and in danger of transferring into private management met their turnaround goals: Ramona Boulevard, Susie E. Tolbert and George Washington Carver. All received C grades and for now will remain under district management.