What Academic Excellence Looks Like Across Florida

Published on: Oct 28, 2026

For the 2025–26 school year, 18 Florida school districts have earned the Academically High-Performing School District designation, recognizing their achievement in academics and fiscal responsibility. The districts include 11 maintaining their designation, six returning to the list, and one earning the recognition for the first time. 

“Strong academic results begin with clear expectations, excellent teaching, and a commitment to helping students reach their full potential. These 18 districts have demonstrated that academic achievement and responsible stewardship of public resources can go hand in hand. I congratulate the educators, school leaders, and communities whose work has helped their districts meet these standards,” said Commissioner of Education Henry Mack.  

Celebrating Progress and Sustained Achievement 

This year's designees reflect both consistency and new milestones across Florida's education system. 

St. Lucie County earned the designation for the first time, joining districts that have met the state's established standards for academic performance and fiscal responsibility. 

Volusia County also returned to the list for the first time since the 2009–10 school year. Five other districts regained the designation after previously earning it: Clay and Collier counties, last designated in 2023–24; St. Johns County, last designated in 2022–23; and Martin and Monroe counties, last designated in 2020–21. 

Eleven districts maintained their designation from the previous year, continuing to meet the state's requirements for academic performance and responsible financial management. 

Together, these districts represent communities across Florida that have met the standards required for this statewide recognition. 

What It Takes to Earn the Designation 

Established in 2007, Florida's Academically High-Performing School District designation is awarded annually by the State Board of Education. To qualify for the 2025–26 school year, districts had to meet specific academic, operational, and financial requirements. 

Districts were required to: 

• Earn an “A” district grade for two consecutive years. 

• Have no district-operated school earn an “F” grade. 

• Meet state class-size requirements. 

• Receive clean financial audit reports with no findings of material weakness or material noncompliance. 

These requirements recognize districts that demonstrate sustained academic performance while meeting established standards for accountability and stewardship of public resources. 

Recognition With Practical Benefits 

In addition to statewide recognition, designated districts receive certain operational flexibilities under Florida law, including the ability to incorporate up to two days of virtual instruction within the required 180-day school year. 

The designation recognizes districts that meet Florida's academic and financial benchmarks while providing qualifying districts with additional flexibility in how they organize instruction. 

The 2025–26 Designees 

Districts Maintaining Their Designation 

Broward, Calhoun, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Nassau, Palm Beach, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, Wakulla, and Walton. 

Districts Returning to the List 

Clay, Collier, Martin, Monroe, St. Johns, and Volusia. 

First-Time Designee 

St. Lucie. 

Recognizing Achievement Across Florida 

The 18 districts recognized for 2025–26 reflect academic performance and financial accountability across communities throughout Florida. From districts maintaining their designation to those earning it for the first time or returning after several years, this year's list highlights multiple paths to meeting the state's standards. 

Florida's Academically High-Performing School District designation continues to recognize school systems that meet established expectations for academic achievement, operational compliance, and responsible management of public resources.