Okaloosa County Receives A-rating from the Florida Department of Education

2023 Baseline School Grades were released by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) and the results are highly encouraging in the first year of a new statewide assessment. As a District, OCSD earned an A-rating from the Florida Department of Education once again. The District’s percentage of points jumped from 63% last year to 68% this year. Okaloosa is one of three districts in Florida to earn an A each year since 2014. 

Superintendent Chambers notified Principals yesterday, stating, “I want to let you know how proud I am of the performance of your students and teachers! Recognizing that the school grades process has been adjusted for this year due to a new assessment and the lack of a learning gains component, I am thrilled that every single one of our schools either maintained their prior-year school grade or improved! We had no school grade lower than the previous year. I hope that each of you takes great pride in your school’s improved performance, indicated by these grades, and I know that you have been hard at work this fall, doing even better.”

Ten (10) schools increased their grade from C to B or B to A. Specifically, Laurel Hill, Edge Elementary, and Florosa Elementary each earned an A this year after having a B in 2022-2023. Bob Sikes, Riverside, Wright, Shalimar, Elliott Point, Mary Esther, and Kenwood, all elementary schools, improved from C to B. Four (4) district-operated schools, Eglin, Choctawhatchee, Crestview, and Fort Walton Beach, along with Destin Charter High School, received Incomplete (I) grades. The District has reached out to FLDOE for clarification on the process to be issued a school grade and will provide additional information as soon as possible. In past years, incomplete grades were given if the percent of students tested was below 95%. 

According to Superintendent Chambers, the District expects even better results at the conclusion of the current school year. “The 2023 Baseline School Grades released today could not take into account learning gains made by students because 2023 was the first year of the new FAST assessment. Many of our schools do a tremendous job helping students achieve significant gains each year and ensuring a year’s worth of growth in a year’s time. This will only help school grades going forward.”