West Florida High School is Escambia County’s only consistent “A”-rated school, with test scores and graduation rates higher than all other county high schools. While the School District’s overall graduation rate reached 66 percent last year, West Florida’s graduation rate — at 94 percent — is one of the highest in the U.S.
Hundreds of miles northeast of Pensacola, North Charleston High School in South Carolina has shown some of the highest gains in test scores and graduation rates in the state. With a minority enrollment of 95 percent, and nearly all students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, North Charleston is shining a bright light in education.
In this report
-
Robert Grimm with students in class
When education is a priority, every child can learn
by Reggie Dogan
Robert Grimm arrived at North Charleston High School in 2011 with a crystal clear picture of the looming challenges facing a new principal.
-
Man wearing a hardhat standing in a factory
West Florida Tech: is this the make and model for success in high school?
by William Rabb
-
Two black teenagers dancing on stage
School literally changed TaDarius Hall’s life
by Mollye Barrows
People like being around TaDarius Hall. His peers at Pensacola High School elected him to the Homecoming Court twice and voted him freshman class president.
-
Man standing by the bay in between two palm trees
Education, skill-set are key to closing the gap in wealth
by Rick Harper
By now it’s old news: “It’s never been more important to get a good education than it is today.” But it bears repeating, because all of the indicators point in the same direction.
Join Our Newsletter