July 9, 2025

Leon County School District Achieves B Grade from Florida Education Department

News Summary

The Leon County School District has maintained a B grade for the 2024-25 school year, a two-point improvement from last year, moving closer to an A grade. The district has seen significant progress in its elementary schools, with Sabal Palm and Pineview Elementary making headlines for their transformations. Superintendent Rocky Hanna emphasizes the role of school leadership in these advancements, aiming to eliminate D-rated schools. While challenges persist, such as chronic absenteeism, overall academic performance has improved across the district, showcasing a commitment to educational success.

Leon County, Florida – The Leon County School District has successfully maintained a B grade from the Florida Department of Education for the 2024-25 school year. This consistent grade marks a two-point improvement from last year, bringing the district just two points shy of achieving an A grade. School grades are determined by state assessment results and student progress, providing a clear picture of overall performance across the district.

This year, the district celebrated notable improvements in its elementary schools, with two institutions showing significant progress. For the seventh consecutive year, no schools in the district received failing grades, solidifying the belief in effective educational strategies and leadership. All five high schools in the district retained their previous grades, contributing to a balanced distribution of schools: an equal number of A schools and C schools.

Superintendent Rocky Hanna highlighted the importance of school leadership in driving these improvements, noting that these grades are the best the district has achieved since he took office. His goal remains clear: to elevate the district to an A status while ensuring there are no schools rated D.

Among the significant achievements, Sabal Palm Elementary School made headlines for its historic turnaround, improving from a D grade to an A grade. Under the leadership of Principal Latoyer Hankerson, various interventions were implemented for students, which included hands-on teaching in classrooms. Assistant Superintendent Shane Syfrett commended Hankerson’s leadership and commitment to community engagement as critical contributors to this success.

Principal Hankerson, who previously served with the Bureau of School Improvement at the Florida Department of Education, is credited with recognizing and addressing unique challenges that the school presented. In addition, Pineview Elementary School notably improved from a C grade to an A grade, reflecting the district’s focus on enhancing educational quality.

Nims Middle School achieved historic recognition, receiving its first B grade in 66 years. However, not all schools mirrored this upward trajectory. Apalachee Tapestry Magnet School of the Arts has maintained a D grade for three consecutive years, with only 24% of its 5th graders demonstrating proficiency in math.

Data revealed that Leon County Schools are addressing challenges, such as a chronic absenteeism rate of 36.4%, higher than the state average. Nonetheless, district students exhibited gains in academic performance, reporting improvements of up to 5% in math and 4% in English language arts. The introduction of the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) in 2023 has provided a clearer picture of student performance compared to previous standardized tests.

Among the achievements, Leon County’s third graders saw a 3% gain in math proficiency, with the average passing rate standing at 63%. Notably, Gilchrist Elementary led with 89% of its third graders passing the math exam. On the contrary, Fort Braden K-8 faced challenges, with only 20% of third graders passing the math assessment.

High school performance also reflected a mixed landscape: 55% of students passed the crucial 10th-grade English exam required for graduation eligibility. SAIL High School reported the highest passing rate among high schools, while Godby High School had the lowest, with only 30% of students passing. Conversely, the School of Arts and Sciences at the Centre excelled among charter schools, achieving a remarkable 72% passing rate in third-grade English.

In summary, the Leon County School District’s overall performance remains a point of pride for educators and community members alike. As they strive for continuous improvement, the district demonstrates its commitment to fostering educational success at all grade levels, while addressing challenges faced by specific schools.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Leon County School District Retains B Grade Amid Improvements
Former FSU Instructor Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charges
Florida Faces Unprecedented Winter Weather
New Florida Law Allows Charter Schools to Co-Locate in Public Schools
Tallahassee to Launch Florida’s First AI-Integrated Middle School
Leon County School Board Enacts New Educational Policies
Leon County School Board Approves AI Policy for Education
Tallahassee Launches School Zone Speed Camera Program
Leon County Schools Discusses Impacts of Welaunee Development
Leon County Schools Face Overcrowding Challenges

Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER

TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.

ADD MORE INFORMATION OR CONTRIBUTE TO OUR ARTICLE CLICK HERE!

STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER

Stay Connected

More Updates

Would You Like To Add Your Business?

Submit