SEASIDE SCHOOL™ Earns Florida's Highest School Grade for 25th Consecutive Year as Students Set New Academic Benchmarks
Key Takeaways
SEASIDE SCHOOL™ has earned Florida's highest school grade (A+) for the 25th consecutive year, continuing one of the state's longest-running traditions of academic excellence.
Seaside Neighborhood School™ seventh-grade students earned the highest mean scale score in mathematics in the state of Florida, with 100% reaching proficiency and 96% achieving Level 5.
The Seacoast Collegiate High School Class of 2026 achieved exceptional college and career outcomes, including a 100% graduation rate, 83% earning an Associate in Arts degree, 81% graduating with Honors, and 80% earning industry certifications.
SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL – [August 12, 2026] – SEASIDE SCHOOL™ has once again earned Florida's highest school grade (A+) from the Florida Department of Education for the 2025–2026 school year, marking the school's 25th consecutive year receiving the state's highest distinction.
The milestone reflects another extraordinary year of academic achievement across the public charter school system. According to the Florida Department of Education's 2025–2026 accountability results, SEASIDE SCHOOL™ earned 949 points across 11 accountability components, achieving 86% of all available points while recording a 100% graduation rate and 100% College and Career Acceleration.
From significant learning gains at Seaside Neighborhood School™ to exceptional college and career outcomes at Seacoast Collegiate High School, students demonstrated achievement throughout the entire SEASIDE SCHOOL™ academic experience. Among the year's standout accomplishments, Seaside Neighborhood School™ seventh-grade students earned the highest mean scale score in mathematics in the state of Florida, while Seacoast Collegiate High School's AP Environmental Science students achieved a 100% AP Exam pass rate for the second consecutive year, surpassing both the global average of 70.5% and the Florida average of 68.2%.
"Twenty-five consecutive years of earning Florida's highest school grade speaks to something much bigger than academic performance. It reflects a culture where students are challenged to reach their full potential, teachers are empowered to innovate, and families and community partners work together to support every child's success," said Drew Ward, Interim Executive Director of SEASIDE SCHOOL™. "Whether our students are building strong academic foundations in middle school, earning college degrees before graduating high school, achieving industry certifications, excelling in Advanced Placement coursework, or preparing for their next chapter, our focus has always been the same: providing opportunities that inspire them to learn, lead, and make a difference. This milestone belongs to every student, teacher, staff member, family, alumnus, volunteer, donor, and community partner who has been part of the SEASIDE SCHOOL™ family over the past 25 years."
Q&A for Context
What do these results mean for students and families?These results demonstrate that SEASIDE SCHOOL™ continues to deliver on its mission of preparing students for success in college, careers, and life. From fifth grade through graduation, students are challenged to grow academically, pursue advanced opportunities, develop practical skills, and reach their full potential.
At Seaside Neighborhood School™, students demonstrated both high levels of proficiency and significant academic growth during the 2025–2026 school year. Fifth-grade mathematics proficiency increased from 40% in the fall to 80% in the spring, a 40-percentage-point increase, with 56% of students finishing at Levels 4 or 5. Sixth-grade mathematics proficiency increased from 69% to 95%, with 73% of students achieving Level 5.
English Language Arts results showed similar progress. Fifth-grade ELA proficiency increased from 52% to 74%, while sixth-grade ELA reached 90% proficiency. Fifth-grade science students achieved 80% proficiency, and sixth-grade students earned 48 Google Slides certifications, extending learning beyond traditional academic measures.
At Seacoast Collegiate High School, the Class of 2026 continued that trajectory. Among the school's 66 graduates, 55 students (83%) earned an Associate in Arts degree from Northwest Florida State College before receiving their high school diploma. Additionally, 53 graduates (81%) earned Honors distinctions, 53 students (80%) graduated with industry certifications, and 54 graduates (82%) qualified for Florida Bright Futures scholarships.
The original ninth-grade cohort achieved even stronger outcomes, with 95% earning an Associate in Arts degree, 95% earning industry certifications, 97% earning the Florida Scholar Designation, and 87% graduating with Honors and qualifying for Bright Futures scholarships.
What were some of Seaside Neighborhood School™'s strongest academic results?
Seventh and eighth-grade students produced some of the school's most notable academic results of the year.
Seventh-grade mathematics students earned the highest mean scale score in the state of Florida. Every seventh-grade student reached proficiency in mathematics, with 96% achieving Level 5, the state's highest achievement level. Seventh graders also achieved a 100% pass rate on the Civics End-of-Course assessment, with 49% reaching Level 5.
Eighth-grade students demonstrated similarly strong performance. Pre-Algebra proficiency increased 45 percentage points, from 48% in the fall to 93% in the spring, with 86% of students reaching Level 5 on the FAST Math assessment. Students taking Algebra achieved a 100% pass rate, with 94% of eighth graders scoring at Level 5.
Eighth-grade ELA proficiency reached 96%, representing a 21-percentage-point increase during the school year, while eighth-grade science reached 94% proficiency. Students also demonstrated career-readiness skills through the Middle School Culinary Arts CTE program, where all 18 students pursuing ServSafe certification passed, achieving a 100% certification rate.
How does SEASIDE SCHOOL™ compare to statewide expectations?
Florida's school accountability system evaluates schools based on student achievement, academic growth, graduation rates, accelerated learning, and college and career readiness. SEASIDE SCHOOL™ excelled across every major measure.
Overall accountability results included:
89% English Language Arts Achievement
92% Mathematics Achievement
93% Science Achievement
95% Social Studies Achievement
86% Middle School Acceleration
100% Graduation Rate
100% College and Career Acceleration
Those systemwide results are reinforced by individual student and grade-level achievements, including Seaside Neighborhood School™ seventh-grade mathematics students earning the state's highest mean scale score and Seacoast Collegiate High School AP Environmental Science students achieving a 100% AP Exam pass rate for the second consecutive year.
Together, the results reflect sustained excellence from middle school through high school and reinforce SEASIDE SCHOOL™'s reputation as one of Florida's highest-performing public charter schools.
How has the Class of 2026 built upon previous success?
While every graduating class leaves its own legacy, the Class of 2026 raised the standard in several key areas compared to the previous year.
The percentage of graduates earning an Associate in Arts degree increased from 78% to 83%, while Honors graduates rose from 71% to 81%. Bright Futures eligibility climbed from 60% to 82%, and the percentage of students earning Scholar Designations increased from 58% to 67%.
The class also saw growth in students earning the Florida Seal of Biliteracy and the Fine Arts Seal, reflecting the school's continued commitment to preparing well-rounded graduates.
These achievements build upon a long tradition of excellence while demonstrating that SEASIDE SCHOOL™ continues to raise expectations for student success.
What's next for SEASIDE SCHOOL™?
While celebrating this historic milestone, SEASIDE SCHOOL™ remains focused on preparing the next generation of leaders.
The school will continue meeting students where they are while expanding opportunities for academic growth, college credit, industry certifications, rigorous Advanced Placement coursework, and innovative learning experiences. SEASIDE SCHOOL™ will also continue strengthening collaboration among educators, families, community organizations, and partners to support student success.
As SEASIDE SCHOOL™ begins its 26th consecutive year as an A-rated public charter school while celebrating its 30th anniversary, its mission remains unchanged: to inspire students to learn, lead, and make a difference while continuing to set the standard for educational excellence in Florida.
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About THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™
Founded in 1996, THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™ is one of Florida’s oldest and most successful public charter schools, serving students in grades 5-12 through SEASIDE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL™ and Seacoast Collegiate High School with a mission to prepare students for success in college, careers, and beyond through a responsive, challenging, and equitable education model tailored to meet the unique needs of adolescents and young adults. Recognized as a top-performing school in Florida, THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™ has been an “A” school for 21+ consecutive years, ranking in the top 1% of public schools statewide in math and science. Students at THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™ benefit from a tuition-free education valued at over $275,000, complete with up to 60 college credits, robust extracurricular opportunities, and a mission-driven focus on leadership, community service, and personal growth. For more information, visit SeasideSchools.net.
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