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Polk County Public Schools had another momentous year in 2025-26, and it showed up on our report card. PCPS maintained and improved its B grade, as many schools throughout the district earned higher marks, according to data released today by the Florida Department of Education. “Two years ago we recaptured our B grade, and we’ve continued to build upon that success,” said PCPS Superintendent Fred Heid. “It’s especially notable because the state’s academic criteria has only become more rigorous. Today’s results are clear: PCPS is on a hot streak.” PCPS students saw widespread achievement gains in state assessment data for 2025-26, improving in math, science and English language arts. In addition, the district’s latest graduation rate climbed to a historic 87.7%. The grad rate for traditional PCPS high schools (excluding charter and alternative schools) was even better, rising to 92.7%. A total 29 traditional PCPS schools improved their own grades in 2025-26, which more than doubled the count from the year prior. Ten schools increased to an A, with two improving from a C to an A: Garden Grove Elementary and Scott Lake Elementary. Snively Elementary also earned its first A in 20 years! In addition, Bethune Academy and Daniel Jenkins Academy earned their first As in well over a decade. Sixteen increased to a B, one of which saw an amazing jump from a D to a B: Dixieland Elementary. Griffin Elementary and Kathleen Elementary also reclaimed their B grades after many years of hard work, and Willow Oak School earned its first B! Three increased from a D to a C: Crystal Lake Middle, Kathleen Middle, and North Lakeland Elementary. Once again, there were no traditional PCPS schools earning an F grade. PCPS uses an intensive progress monitoring system to track students’ academics, providing support based on each child’s learning style. The district’s formula has been highly successful, and Heid said PCPS will intensify its efforts to keep moving forward. “I’m tremendously proud of our students, teachers, staff and community. So many people have worked incredibly hard for these results,” he said. “It’s rewarding to know that we’re on the right track, but we won’t stop here. The future is bright for Polk County Public Schools.” Individual school grades are available on the FLDOE’s website at https://www.fldoe.org/file/18534/SchoolGrades26.xlsx.
Polk County Public Schools had another momentous year in 2025-26, and it showed up on our report card. PCPS maintained and improved its B grade, as many schools throughout the district earned higher marks, according to data released today by the Florida Department of Education. “Two years ago we recaptured our B grade, and we’ve continued to build upon that success,” said PCPS Superintendent Fred Heid. “It’s especially notable because the state’s academic criteria has only become more rigorous. Today’s results are clear: PCPS is on a hot streak.” PCPS students saw widespread achievement gains in state assessment data for 2025-26, improving in math, science and English language arts. In addition, the district’s latest graduation rate climbed to a historic 87.7%. The grad rate for traditional PCPS high schools (excluding charter and alternative schools) was even better, rising to 92.7%. A total 29 traditional PCPS schools improved their own grades in 2025-26, which more than doubled the count from the year prior.
Once again, there were no traditional PCPS schools earning an F grade. PCPS uses an intensive progress monitoring system to track students’ academics, providing support based on each child’s learning style. The district’s formula has been highly successful, and Heid said PCPS will intensify its efforts to keep moving forward. “I’m tremendously proud of our students, teachers, staff and community. So many people have worked incredibly hard for these results,” he said. “It’s rewarding to know that we’re on the right track, but we won’t stop here. The future is bright for Polk County Public Schools.” Individual school grades are available on the FLDOE’s website at https://www.fldoe.org/file/18534/SchoolGrades26.xlsx.