Q&A – Ranking of Palm Beach County School District in Florida
Every day, I showcase a listener’s question received through various channels:
- Email:
- Social Media: @brianmuddradio
- iHeartRadio: Utilize the Talkback feature by clicking on the microphone button on our station’s iHeart app page.
Today’s Inquiry: Hi Brian, despite the high property taxes, I appreciate the apparent success of our schools in terms of graduation rates. I have a couple of follow-up queries. Where does PBC stand compared to other districts in Florida? Additionally, how does its graduation rate fare nationally?
Key Points:
The recent announcement of Florida achieving another record graduation rate reflects the state’s continuous educational advancements, leading to its recognition as the top-performing state in education last year. The state’s rising graduation rates indicate a promising outlook for maintaining its top position in the upcoming rankings. Notably, Palm Beach County (PBC) reported a graduation rate of 90.5%, surpassing the state average by 2.5%. This achievement marked a new record for the district, positioning it as the leading large school district in terms of graduation rates. PBC’s graduation rate was only marginally behind the pre-pandemic high of 91%. In the statewide context:
- Palm Beach County’s graduation rate ranks among the top [ppp1] out of the 67 school districts.
- The Wakulla School District boasts the highest graduation rate in Florida at 97.6%.
- Conversely, Jefferson County reports the lowest graduation rate in the state at 66.7%.
Indian River County also shines with a remarkable graduation rate of 95.6%, ranking third statewide and achieving its highest rate in history. Despite these successes, not all districts experienced an improvement, with some, like Martin County, observing a decline in graduation rates. Nationally, Florida’s #1 ranking in the US News & World Report primarily reflects its higher education system’s excellence rather than K-12 education, where it ranked 14th last year. In the national context:
- Palm Beach County’s school district secures a leading position [ppp2] nationwide, boasting the highest graduation rate among the ten largest districts.
- The district’s B+ rating signifies its overall performance, with notable grades in various categories.
This data underscores the district’s strengths and areas for enhancement, highlighting student achievements surpassing those of the faculty. The positive trends in Palm Beach and Indian River Counties signal a bright future, especially with the introduction of universal school choice.