July 29, 2024 – New school grades were unveiled last week, showing Duval County Public Schools maintained its overall B grade, increased performance in all academic areas, and sat just 3 percentage points away from an A.
The grades were released by the Florida Department of Education, who calculated them using a new scoring model. School improvement ratings for alternative schools were also released.
“These grades, much like the assessment score results released earlier this month, represent a new baseline and opportunity to set expectations and metrics for the future,” said Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier.
New Scoring Model
Due to the number of changes in how grades are calculated, comparisons of this year’s grades to past school grades should be made with caution. These adjustments include modifications to the assessments, the inclusion of additional accountability areas in this year’s grades, and changes to thresholds in the school grading formula.
A change in grade does not necessarily reflect a change in the overall quality of teaching and learning at a school. For example, school-by-school data at the elementary level will show schools with an increase in overall percentage points when compared to last year but a decrease in school grade. The opposite may occur at the secondary level.
District and School Highlights
One area where comparisons can be made is the area of proficiency scores, and Duval County Public Schools increased performance in all academic categories.
- English Language Arts (reading) proficiency increased three points.
- Third grade English Language Arts (reading) proficiency increased three points.
- Math proficiency increased one point.
- Science proficiency increased three points.
- Social Studies proficiency increased by four points.
School highlights from our 2023-24 grade results include:
- William M. Raines High School earned a B grade for the first time ever.
- First Coast High School earned a B grade for the first time since 2019.
- Ramona Boulevard Elementary, which was in state turnaround status in 2020, earned a B grade.
- Lake Lucina Elementary earned an A grade for the first time in almost 20 years.
- Seven schools increased their overall score by more than 15 percentage points:
- Arlington Heights Elementary
- Gregory Drive Elementary
- Ramona Boulevard Elementary
- Woodland Acres Elementary
- S.A. Hull Elementary
- West Riverside Elementary
- Young Men’s/Women’s Leadership Academy
- Bridge to Success High and GRASP Academy earned a School Improvement Rating of Commendable for the first time.
Other district highlights include:
- In overall district scoring, Duval placed 29th out of 65 districts.
- Even with the higher accountability standards, 91% of traditional district schools earned an A, B, or C grade compared to 78% of charter schools.
- In English Language Arts, the district achieved the highest gains in the testing era.
“I want to thank our school leaders, committed staff, and district supports for the positive outcomes,” said Bernier. “I look forward to working with the entire Team Duval community to achieve continued improvement in the years to come.”
