When the elementary school opened in the fall 2011, Global Learning Academy was hailed as an innovative education facility. Superintendent Malcolm Thomas closed three inner-city elementary schools to provide students for GLA–Hallmark, Allie Ynestra and Spencer-Bibbs. Billboards were run to attract students to the new school.
According to Florida Department of Education data, GLA opened with 814 students in the fall of 2011. Eight years later, the school only has 575 students — a 29.4% drop.
The elementary last year was listed on the state’s list of persistently low-performing schools. AÂ “persistently low-performing school” is defined as a school that has earned three grades lower than a ‘C’ in at least three of the previous 5 years and has not earned a grade of “B” or higher in the most recent two school years.
Even though the school improved its grade from a D to a C last spring, enrollment decreased by 27 students.
| Global Learning | Students | Difference | Grade
Prior School Yr
|
| Fall 2011 | 814 | – | |
| Fall 2012 | 792 | -22 | Â D |
| Fall 2013 | 775 | -17 | Â D |
| Fall 2014 | 781 | 6 | Â C |
| Fall 2015 | 763 | -18 | Â C |
| Fall 2016 | 758 | -5 | Â D |
| Fall 2017 | 663 | -95 | Â D |
| Fall 2018 | 602 | -61 | Â D |
| Fall 2019 | 575 | -27 | Â C |
| Net total | -239 | -29.4% |
