Escambia County School District is celebrating a remarkable achievement: a graduation rate of 89.5%, the highest in county history. Superintendent Keith Leonard shared the encouraging news during this week’s episode of “(We Don’t) Color on the Dog.”
- “For the last school year, we just received our graduation rates for each of our traditional and non-traditional high schools. And for last year, our graduation raised by 5.3% to 89.5% overall,” Leonard explained. “I’m old-school math. So for me, I round up. That’s at 90%, which may be the highest it’s ever been here in our county.”
The superintendent added that these gains weren’t limited to specific demographics. “We’re making wins in every type of student,” Leonard said. “When you look at the federal guidelines for minority students, you can see those gains that we are making here in our school district for all students.”
This achievement is particularly impressive given the challenges facing public schools, including increased school choice options that have changed the student population landscape. The district’s success means that more than nine out of ten students in traditional high schools are earning their diplomas.
Progress Monitoring Shows Significant Academic Gains
The district’s mid-year progress monitoring results reveal even more encouraging news. Math scores are showing strong improvement, running seven to eight percentage points ahead of last year’s performance at the same time.
“We’re seeing bigger gains that have been made from Progress Monitoring 1 to Progress Monitoring 2,” Leonard noted. The district ensured all students were tested before the semester break, allowing teachers to start the second semester with clear data on where each student stands.
- Leonard explained the value of this approach: “There’s no guessing game now about where you started, where you are at mid-year. The only guessing game is going to be where you are on that final big stakes test, which is at the end of the year.”
Addressing Teacher Shortages Head-On
Despite the academic successes, the district continues to face teacher recruitment challenges, particularly in math, science, and special education. Of the district’s 2,700 teachers, approximately 275 are teaching out-of-field or are alternatively certified.
- “We’ve got to get more people going through Colleges of Education because this is a profession that’s worth saving,” Leonard emphasized. He noted that the state has streamlined certification processes to help address shortages while maintaining quality standards.
The superintendent remains optimistic about the district’s trajectory. With strong graduation rates, impressive mid-year academic gains, and a commitment to supporting both students and teachers, Escambia County schools demonstrate that public education can thrive even amid significant challenges.
