Monroe County School District officials celebrated significant academic improvements during the recent School Board meeting held on July 29, 2025. The district's 2023-2024 school grades data revealed notable gains across elementary, K-8, and high schools, highlighting a commitment to enhancing student achievement.

In the elementary category, two schools, Stanley Switlick and Gerald Adams, showed remarkable progress in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. Gerald Adams achieved a 17-point increase in grade 3 ELA and a 16-point rise in mathematics, while Stanley Switlick also demonstrated substantial growth. Overall, all three public elementary schools improved in mathematics, with Poinciana Elementary recording its highest gains in math learning for its lowest-performing students. However, areas identified for further improvement include ELA learning gains and science achievement.

Transitioning to K-8 schools, Largo School made a significant leap from a B to an A grade, joining Plantation Key School and Treasure Village Montessori in the top tier. All K-8 schools reported increases in ELA achievement, with six out of eight schools improving in math. Notably, Sugarloaf School and Treasure Village excelled in middle school acceleration, contributing to a district-wide gain of 19 points in this area.

High school performance also showed positive trends, with Key West High, Marathon High, and CFA Academy increasing their total points earned. Marathon High gained 39 points, while CFK achieved a remarkable 100-point increase. Despite these successes, concerns were raised about HOB School, which remains at a C grade and has seen declining enrollment. The district is actively addressing scheduling issues for students with disabilities to enhance performance.

The meeting underscored the district's focus on continuous improvement and the importance of targeted strategies to support all students, particularly those in the lowest quartile. As the school year progresses, stakeholders are encouraged to remain engaged in the ongoing efforts to elevate educational outcomes across Monroe County.