Buoyed by improved graduation rates, Orange County Public Schools saw eight of its high schools’ grades rise in 2010, although four received a D-rating. Most notably among the improvements was Jones High School that rose from a “D” to a “B”. Colonial, Edgewater and Jones High Schools received their first ever “B” grades from the state grading system.
Overall, 12 of 19 high schools (63 percent) scored high-performing A or B grades. Schools with A grades were Freedom, Olympia and Timber Creek high schools. Schools with B grades were Apopka, Boone, Colonial, Cypress Creek, Dr. Phillips, Edgewater, Jones, University and Winter Park high schools.
Three schools improved by two grades: Edgewater and Jones high schools came up from Ds to Bs and Timber Creek High School jumped from a C to an A. Jones missed an A grade by seven points. Another near-miss was West Orange High School that was six points shy of a B.
Superintendent Ronald Blocker remarked, “I’m very pleased that four more high schools have risen to the high-performing A or B grade level. When you look at the schools that made high grades, it is clear that any school with any mix of students can achieve success. I acknowledge we still have opportunities to improve. By focusing on the performance and graduation progress of our lowest 25 percent of students we can raise quite a few more school grades.”
Chair Bill Sublette said, “I am thrilled that 12 of our 19 high schools are high-performing with A or B grades. That shows tremendous progress. Jones High School’s grade of B clearly indicates we can turn around schools once considered failing. With this, I must say I am disappointed we have four D-rated high schools. We can do better.”
Other Orange County high school grades were: East River, D; Evans, D; Lake Nona, C; Oak Ridge, D; Ocoee, C; and Wekiva, D.
High school grades released this week included graduation rates and other academic factors to account for 50 percent of the grades. The balance was based on traditional FCAT test score results. For complete high school grade information and results, visit the Florida Department of Education website here.
