News Summary
The Leon County School District has retained a B grade from the Florida Department of Education, nearing an A grade. Sabal Palm Elementary notably improved from a D to an A, aided by effective leadership. New initiatives such as the Innovation Academy of Excellence will integrate AI into education, preparing students for modern challenges. With no failing schools, the district showcases significant progress and a commitment to STEM advancement.
Tallahassee Schools Celebrate Recent Academic Achievements and New Initiatives
TALLAHASSEE – The Leon County School District has maintained a B grade from the Florida Department of Education for the 2024-25 school year, just two points shy of achieving an A grade. Superintendent Rocky Hanna expressed optimism about the district’s potential for further improvements. Notably, for the seventh consecutive year, there are no failing schools within the district.
Among the schools making significant strides is Sabal Palm Elementary, which improved its grade from a D to an A. The commendable transformation has been attributed to the leadership and effective interventions implemented by Principal Latoyer Hankerson.
Currently, the district showcases a combination of A and C grades among its schools, with a focus on strong leadership identified as a crucial factor behind recent academic successes. Tallahassee Collegiate Academy has also seen achievements, attaining an A grade from the state for both 2024 and 2025. The academy, which allows high school students to earn college credits, has a strong emphasis on STEM education.
New Initiatives in the District
As part of its expansion in educational opportunities, Tallahassee State College is collaborating with Charter Schools USA to launch Florida’s first AI-integrated middle school—the Innovation Academy of Excellence. This charter school will cater to students in grades 6 through 8 and will incorporate artificial intelligence into its curriculum.
Set to open its doors in August, the Innovation Academy is expected to enroll between 100 and 125 students, contributing to the district’s focus on STEM education. Although principals and teaching staff have yet to be appointed for the academy, the operation will incur no financial costs to Tallahassee State College, as Charter Schools USA will cover administrative expenses.
Background and Future Prospects
Over the years, the Leon County School District has demonstrated a commitment to improving educational outcomes for students, with school leadership playing a pivotal role in these advancements. This year, the district’s grades reflect sustained progress, particularly in schools like Sabal Palm Elementary and Tallahassee Collegiate Academy.
The forthcoming launch of the Innovation Academy of Excellence signals a forward-thinking approach to education, aligning with modern technological trends and preparing students for future challenges. The partnership with Charter Schools USA also indicates a willingness to innovate following the closure of the Renaissance Academy, a prior charter school that faced enrollment and academic issues.
As Leon County Schools continue to grow and adapt to new educational demands, these achievements and initiatives showcase the district’s ongoing dedication to providing quality education and preparing students for successful futures.
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Additional Resources
- Action News Jax: Best Public Middle Schools in Tallahassee
- Tallahassee.com: Florida School Grades
- Tallahassee.com: New Principal at Tallahassee Collegiate Academy
- Tallahassee.com: AI-Focused Middle School Launch
- Wikipedia: Education in Florida
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.
