Now 100% of District-managed schools are a grade of “A” or “B”, including two historic firsts
Sarasota County, FL – July 1, 2026 – The Florida Department of Education has released the latest school grades, with Sarasota County Schools once again earning an overall “A” rating, continuing a legacy of strong academic outcomes across the district.
This marks the 23rd consecutive year the district has achieved an “A” grade, reflecting a sustained commitment to high standards, student progress, and consistent accountability across all schools. Sarasota also saw a 32-point increase in its overall score within the state’s accountability system compared to last year, signaling meaningful academic gains.
This year’s results include a significant achievement: every district-managed school earned either an “A” or “B” grade. This districtwide performance reflects the strength of aligned instructional practices, focused leadership at every level, and a shared commitment to student success.
The results also include notable milestones including Emma E. Booker Elementary School and Booker Middle School earning an “A” grade for the first time since the inception of the school grade system and all district-managed middle schools earning an “A”.
Over the last three years, Sarasota County district-managed schools have increased from 24 “A” schools to 35, decreased from eight “B” schools to five, and six “C” schools to zero.
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Key Highlights of the 2025-2026 School Grades
Atwater Elementary School improved from a “B” to “A”
Booker Middle School improved from a “B” to “A”
Brentwood Elementary School improved from a “B” to “A”
Brookside Middle School improved from a “B” to “A”
Emma E. Booker Elementary School improved from a "B" to “A”
Fruitville Elementary School improved from “B” to “A”
Garden Elementary School improved from a “B” to “A”
Glenallen Elementary School improved from a “B” to “A”
Gocio Elementary School improved from a "C" to “B”
Gulf Gate Elementary School improved from “B” to “A”
McIntosh Middle School improved from a “B” to “A”
Tuttle Elementary School improved from “B” to “A”
Wilkinson Elementary School improved from a “C” to “B”
Woodland Middle School improved from a “B” to “A”
In addition to the 14 district-managed schools that improved a letter grade this year, 22 district-managed schools maintained their “A” grade for this school year, and no district-managed schools dropped a letter grade. Contributing to this growth, several schools posted substantial gains in total points over the previous year, led by Gocio Elementary School (+124), Brentwood Elementary School (+116), Atwater Elementary School (+89), Emma E. Booker Elementary School (+75), McIntosh Middle School (+70), Wilkinson Elementary School (+69), and Booker Middle School (+59).
This year’s districtwide performance reflects both sustained excellence and meaningful progress across Sarasota County Schools, demonstrating the impact of a focused, aligned system committed to high expectations and continuous improvement. Superintendent Terry Connor pointed to the collective focus and dedication of the district’s teachers, leaders, staff, students, and families as the driving force behind these results.
“These results reflect an extraordinary level of commitment across our district, and we are incredibly proud of the hard work behind them,” said Superintendent Terry Connor. “Reaching milestones like 100% of our schools earning an ‘A’ or ‘B,’ schools earning ‘A’ grades for the first time, and historic gains at so many campuses speaks to what is possible when our teachers, leaders, staff, students, and families work together with a shared focus on success. This is a moment to celebrate and to continue building on.”
The district’s performance reflects a deliberate focus on strong instructional practices, thoughtful use of data, and targeted support for both students and educators. Schools across Sarasota County continue to refine their approach to ensure every student receives the support needed to succeed.
These outcomes also reflect the strength of the district’s strategic priorities, centered on continuous improvement and academic growth. With strong results across schools and meaningful gains in key areas, Sarasota County Schools remains focused on sustaining momentum, strengthening outcomes, and ensuring every student has the opportunity to achieve at a high level.
For more information on the school grades and to view detailed reports, please visit the FLDOE’s website: https://www.fldoe.org/accountability/accountability-reporting/school-grades/.