SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Brevard and Seminole County Schools were A-rated districts, until now.
School grades released last week showed both districts dropped to a B grade under the new formula.
This marks the first time Seminole schools have not received an A since the state started scoring school districts more than a decade ago.
Administrators in Seminole County are meeting right now to go over the numbers.
Grades for Central Fla. schools: EXCEL DOC | PDF DOC
Read: Link to all Florida scores | Department of Education results packet
Seminole School Board Chairman, Tina Calderone, told Channel 9’s Michael Lopardi that the one-letter grade drop is enough to make parents call and say they want their kids in A-rated schools.
“When I asked for, I asked for clarifying questions: Why don't you want to go to a B school? ‘Just because we don't want to. We want an A,’” said Calderone.
The state's new, tougher grading formula led nearly one-third of schools across the state to score lower this year. Some overall district grades also fell.
Both Brevard and Seminole counties lost their A grades, and left all the districts in Central Florida were left with B and C grades.
“If a school is more desirable than others, or historically satisfies what the parents think their students need, yes, they will migrate to that,” said John Lazenby, president of Orlando Regional Realtor Association.
Lazenby has told potential home buyers in Orange and Seminole Counties, to not to overthink the grades.
“Both counties enjoy great, solid support for the students. A great support system for our community at large,” Lazenby said.
But the B grade still stings for Seminole County, which Calderone said relies on its reputation for good schools to help lure new business.
“With an A grade, it's just known across the country that an A is a top grade to be given,” Calderone said.
Some Seminole County schools received a grade of incomplete. The district now hopes to obtain those scores, and reclaim the top spot.
The Realtors Association said the fact that 18 districts statewide lost their A grades this year will help push the argument that the change is closely tied to the formula, and not necessarily the education system.
Contact Michael Lopardi for more on this story.