DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. – Duval County Public Schools just earned an “A” grade for the first time in history, and while district leaders celebrated the milestone, they also said there is work that needs to be done to continue to improve.
On Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the state’s 2025 school grades, and DCPS was among the districts with the most notable score changes, going from a “B” grade in 2024 to an “A” grade this year.
Superintendent Christopher Bernier said the results are more than a reflection of test scores.
“We’ve got really great principals, teachers, paraprofessionals. They really go all out. They look at the whole child, not just the academic side, and they try to push the student achievement, but also make sure that the whole child develops, and that makes it easier for a superintendent to work with those individuals,” Bernier said on Tuesday.
An A-rated school system has been the goal for DCPS for years.
Board Chair Charlotte Joyce credited leadership as part of the reason for the top grade.
“I think you have to have a strong leader that can put people in the right places. And I think Dr. Bernier has done that, and that’s what really put us over the top, getting those right, leaders in the buildings, climate and cultures, everything, delivering the instruction to the students,” Joyce said.
In addition to the district earning an “A” grade for the first time, the number of “A,” “B,” and “C” schools increased significantly, going from 91% the last school year to 99% this year.
The district also said:
- The number of A and B schools jumped to 65%, up from 46% last year.
- The number of D and F schools decreased sharply — from 12 (11 Ds and 1 F) last year to just two Ds this year and no F schools. Annie R. Morgan Elementary, which received an F last school year, jumped to a C. This shift is credited to school-based leadership and targeted turnaround support.
- Graduation rates have climbed steadily among traditional public schools, rising from 86.5% in the 2014–15 school year to 95.3% today.
Ten schools jumped two letter grades:
- Andrew Jackson High (C to A)
- Annie R. Morgan Elementary (F to C)
- Holiday Hill Elementary (C to A)
- Jean Ribault High (C to A)
- Landmark Middle (C to A)
- Long Branch Elementary (D to B)
- Northwestern Legends Elementary (D to B)
- Oceanway Elementary (C to A)
- Pickett Elementary (C to A)
- Rufus E. Payne Elementary (C to A)
Both Andrew Jackson High and John E. Ford earned their first A-rating. Ed White High School earned its first B-rating.
Joyce said there are still improvements to be made.
“We’re not going to rest. We got an A, but we’ve got more work to do until every single student in Duval County is reading at grade level,” Joyce said.
To ensure the momentum continues, DCPS is launching a year-long communications effort dubbed “Duval Delivers.” The campaign will spotlight school success stories, amplify instructional best practices, and maintain a consistent message of progress throughout the 2025–2026 school year.
“Excellence isn’t a one-time headline,” Bernier added. “It’s a steady, relentless rhythm of progress. That’s what this success is all about. That’s how Duval Delivers. We will continue strong collaboration, reduce absenteeism, and stick to Plan A. We are excited to continue this progress into the new school year.”
