Volusia County Schools Earns First “A” since 2008-09 in FLDOE 2024-25 School and District Grades ReleaseDELAND – The Florida Department of Education released the 2024-25 School and District Grades today, and, for the first time since the 2008-09 school year, Volusia County Schools (VCS) earned a district grade of an “A” by attaining 64 percentage points, demonstrating substantial improvements in 10 of 12 areas of accountability.VCS increased the percentage of all schools that earned an “A” or a “B” by 13 percentage points from 62% in 2024 to 75% in 2025. Key highlights from the 2024-25 school year include: • 100% of traditional elementary, middle, and high schools achieved proficiency (A, B, or C). • The number of “A” schools increased from 17 in 2023-24 to 28 in 2024-25. • VCS has no “D” or “F” schools and will have no schools identified as “turnaround” by the Florida Department of Education for the first time since 2008. • VCS improved in district grade ranking among all 67 Florida counties every year for the past three years, including from 40th in 2023 to 24th in 2025. • Twenty-four schools improved by at least one letter grade. • All Volusia County high schools have attained an “A” or “B” rating for the first time in Volusia County history, including 7 “A” ratings. • Three middle schools improved from a “C” to a “B.” • Eleven elementary schools improved to an “A,” including Edith I. Starke Elementary, which jumped three letter grades from a “D” to an “A,” and Enterprise Elementary, which jumped two letter grades from a “C” to a “A.” Starke was one of only two elementary schools in the state of Florida to increase from a “D” to an “A.” • Thirty-one of 45 elementary schools increased their total percentage of possible points compared to the previous school year. • Eight of 12 middle schools increased their total percentage of possible points compared to the previous school year. • Seven of 11 high schools increased their total percentage of possible points compared to the previous school year. • Mainland High School earned its first ever "A” rating, and T. Dewitt Taylor Middle-High School earned its first ever “B” rating. “This A is more than a measure of academic success; it is a reflection of a district and a community that chose to come together—with purpose and with heart—to ignite a passion for learning in all students,” said Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin. “When our School Board, families, staff, and community partners stand together and work hard, our students and community excel." This is the third year that school and district grades were calculated using the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) Progress Monitoring and Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) assessment results. A school's grade is calculated based on components, including achievement in reading, math, science, and social studies, as well as acceleration and graduation rates, according to guidelines provided by the Department of Education. Submitted: 07/09/25 Article By: Volusia County Schools - Superintendent of Schools |