JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – St. Johns County and Nassau County are once again two of the top school districts in Florida.
According to the Florida Department of Education, nearly two-thirds of schools earned an “A” or a “B,” which is up from 57% of schools in 2023.
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The schools were graded on 12 factors, including how students performed in core subjects like math, English and science and how they improved from year to year.
Lafayette County, a district of just 1,1000 students in the Big Bend, held onto the top spot.
MORE: Complete Florida School Grades for 2024
Also scoring “A” grades were the much larger districts of St. Johns and Nassau counties, which have 300,000 students between them.
Clay County ranked No. 14, also with an A grade.
Here’s the breakdown of other Northeast Florida counties:
- Flagler County was 24th (B)
- Union County tied for 31st (B)
- Alachua County tied for 32nd (B)
- Duval County was 33rd (B)
- Columbia County was 34th (B)
- Baker County was 37th (B)
- Bradford County was 52nd (C)
- Putnam County was 53rd (C)
Less than 4% of school districts got either a “D” or “F” grade, which the Department of Education says is down from 6% in 2023.
None of the school districts in our viewing area received lower than a “C.”
St. Johns County is typically at or near the top of the annual rankings. This year, the district is in the middle of a search for a new leader.
Superintendent Tim Forson announced in November that he is retiring at the end of this school year. He has served as superintendent since 2016.
During his tenure, the district added nine schools, expanded 10 others and is currently building two new K-8 schools.
A lot of parents have asked how the state and the districts can maintain or improve the grades.
Last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis approved $200 million to boost teacher salaries.
Specifically in St. Johns County, voters also approved a pair of tax referendums to support schools.