July 7, 2025 – Earning an A for the first time in its history – and with more than 99% of schools attaining a grade of A, B, or C – Team Duval is celebrating a transformative year of academic achievement, marked by unprecedented school improvement across the district. At the core of this success is a clear message: Duval Delivers.
In fact, the district reached its highest grade on record, earning 763 total points, attaining an A-grade for the first time. With schools across the county showing dramatic gains — some improving by two letter grades or more — Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier says this highlights the collective efforts of instructional staff, principals, School Board and district leaders, and community partners.
“These results aren’t just a reflection of test scores — they’re a reflection of vision, leadership, and relentless effort at the school level,” said Dr. Bernier. “Duval Delivers because our schools delivered.”
In the past year, Duval County Public Schools has seen steady and measurable improvement among traditional district schools in key academic performance indicators:
Duval earned a school district grade of A — the first time in its history — demonstrating districtwide alignment in leadership, instructional quality, and student growth.
The number of A, B, and C schools increased significantly, leaping from 91% last school year to 99% this school year. This reinforces the district’s progress toward consistent, schoolwide quality across all regions.
The number of A and B schools jumped to 65%, up from 46% last year.
The number of D and F schools decreased sharply — from 12 (11 Ds and 1 F) last year to just two Ds this year and no F schools. Annie R. Morgan Elementary, which received an F last school year, jumped to a C. This shift is credited to school-based leadership and targeted turnaround support.
Graduation rates have climbed steadily among traditional public schools, rising from 86.5% in the 2014–15 school year to 95.3% today.
There is also a plethora of school success stories, including 45 schools that increased one letter grade or more. Some standouts include:
Ten schools jumped two letter grades:
1. Andrew Jackson High (C to A)
2. Annie R. Morgan Elementary (F to C)
3. Holiday Hill Elementary (C to A)
4. Jean Ribault High (C to A)
5. Landmark Middle (C to A)
6. Long Branch Elementary (D to B)
7. Northwestern Legends Elementary (D to B)
8. Oceanway Elementary (C to A)
9. Pickett Elementary (C to A)
10. Rufus E. Payne Elementary (C to A)
Also, both Andrew Jackson High and John E. Ford earned their first A-rating, while Ed White High School earned its first B-rating.
What Drove the Improvement
Several districtwide initiatives have been instrumental in supporting this success.
The Principal Institute
A cornerstone of the district’s leadership strategy, the Principal Institute provides targeted development for school leaders. One key philosophy emphasized during the program — “Don’t create a Plan B. Create Plan A and work that plan until it works.” — has inspired a results-driven mindset across the district.
“That single piece of advice changed the way I lead,” shared Principal Todd Simpson of Central Riverside Elementary, which retained an A-rating and went up five points. “We committed to one clear plan and stuck with it until we saw results.”
Turnaround School Partnership with MGT Consulting Group
The district partnered with Turn Around Solutions and MGT Consulting Group to support struggling campuses with focused turnaround strategies. Schools like Matthew Gilbert, Annie R. Morgan, Northwestern Legends, and Woodland Acres benefited from these efforts — resulting in improved performance and exiting state-mandated turnaround status.
Leadership Realignment
In a series of bold yet necessary decisions, the district implemented changes in both principal and regional leadership. These placements matched leadership talent with the urgency of school needs, reinforcing a culture of high expectations.
“Leadership drives culture. Culture drives behavior. Behavior drives results,” said Dr. Bernier. “We embedded that at every level of the organization. And now we’re seeing what happens when leadership and culture align.”
Instructional Focus
Instructional quality became a daily priority, with principals increasing classroom visibility, conducting real-time coaching, and elevating their role as instructional leaders. This shift has led to deeper collaboration, stronger teaching practices, and more student engagement across schools.
To ensure the momentum continues, Duval County Public Schools is launching a year-long communications effort titled “Duval Delivers.” The campaign will spotlight school success stories, amplify instructional best practices, and maintain a consistent message of progress throughout the 2025–2026 school year.
“Excellence isn’t a one-time headline,” Dr. Bernier added. “It’s a steady, relentless rhythm of progress. That’s what this success is all about. That’s how Duval Delivers. We will continue strong collaboration, reduce absenteeism, and stick to Plan A. We are excited to continue this progress into the new school year.”