Education:
Killing A Success Story
The district says the school is closing because of enrollment. The numbers show a school that is working.
Last school year, Lincoln Park Elementary was considered a success story, earning a B grade after two consecutive C’s. The District 3 school ranked #17 in total points among the Escambia County Public Schools’ 34 elementary schools.
Lincoln Park earned the grade due to its phenomenal success in learning gains, especially among the lowest 25% of students.
- English Language Arts: #14 in gains and #3 in gains for the lowest 25%
- Math: #11 in gains and #9 in gains for the lowest 25%
The decision was already made
At the first meeting of the Student Attendance Zone Advisory Committee (SAZAC) last month, Shawn E. Dennis, assistant superintendent of operations, told the committee that the district had already decided to close the elementary school because it had fewer than 300 students.
Though SAZAC recommended closing Woodham High and Brentwood, Brownsville and Wedgewood middle schools in 2006, Dennis said SAZAC is not responsible for closure recommendations, according to the minutes.
- However, the minutes also state that the assistant superintendent said the SAZAC process is intended to increase citizens’ participation in the process of evaluating data pertinent to closing/consolidating schools.
How can citizens participate in school closing and consolidations if the decision has been made?
- See minutes.
Smaller enrollment, bigger gains. According to the Florida Department of Education, Lincoln Park had only 202 students for the 2025-26 school year. However, the smaller enrollment helped the students achieve greater gains in English and math.
Where Would the Students Go?
Dennis instructed the SAZAC members to redraw the boundaries and attendance zones that will determine where Lincoln Park students will be bused.
Based on attendance, the two most likely schools will be Brentwood Elementary (397 students) and Ensley Elementary (465 students). Both schools earned fewer total points than Lincoln Park.
- Ensley: The lowest-performing public elementary school in Escambia County, with 328 total points, placing it #34 of 34 elementary schools
- Brentwood: Slightly better, ranking #29 with 371 total points
Who Else Did Lincoln Park Outperform?
- Reinhardt Holm Elementary School
- Kingsfield Elementary School
- Navy Point Elementary School
- Bratt Elementary School
- L. D. McArthur Elementary School
- Longleaf Elementary School
- Jim Allen Elementary School
- Myrtle Grove Elementary School
- Byrneville Elementary School, Inc.
- Oakcrest Elementary School
- Global Learning Academy
- O. J. Semmes Elementary School
- Sherwood Elementary School
- C. A. Weis Elementary School
- West Pensacola Elementary School
- Warrington Elementary School
Why this matters: We have 202 students who are succeeding in school, and the school district may place them in underachieving schools.
- An alternative approach would be to tout Lincoln Park’s success and recruit more students to that school.
What’s Next
SAZAC meets from 5 p.m. today at the Vernon McDaniel Building, 75 N Pace Blvd.