VERO BEACH, FL (July 1, 2026) - Every morning, thousands of children walk through the doors of a School District of Indian River County school carrying more than backpacks. They bring curiosity waiting to be sparked, talents waiting to be discovered, dreams waiting to take shape, and the promise of a bright future.
They are greeted by teachers who believe in their potential before they fully see it in themselves. They are welcomed by principals who know their names, support professionals who help every child feel safe and valued, and families who reinforce learning long after the final bell. Together, they are part of a community that believes every child deserves every opportunity to succeed.
When a community invests in its children, extraordinary things happen.
This year, 23 of the District's 24 traditional public schools earned an A, representing 96 percent of traditional schools and the third-highest percentage of A-rated traditional public schools in Florida. Citrus Elementary School, Oslo Middle School, and Pelican Island Classical Magnet School each improved from a B to an A, reflecting the determination of students, educators, and families who continue to prove that growth is possible when a community believes in its children. Every charter school also earned an A, reinforcing a culture of excellence across every public school option available to families.
Today, Florida's School Grades affirm what our community has built together.
The School District of Indian River County earned its fourth consecutive A district grade, becoming one of only 16 school districts in Florida to sustain that level of excellence over the past four years. The District also maintained its position among Florida's Top Five highest-performing school districts for the second consecutive year, earned the highest accountability score on the Treasure Coast, and recorded the second-highest rate of growth among Florida's Top Five school districts.
While the School District of Indian River County remains among Florida's highest-performing districts, it continues to gain ground. This year, three of the four districts ranked ahead of SDIRC experienced less growth, a reflection of the District's relentless pursuit of improvement and its belief that excellence is never a destination. It is a promise renewed every day for every child.
These accomplishments matter because they are not simply about school grades or state rankings. They represent children discovering what they are capable of, educators who refuse to give up on a student, families who place their trust in their neighborhood public schools, and a community that understands its future is shaped in today's classrooms.
“When people see these results, I hope they see more than rankings," said Superintendent Dr. David K. Moore. "I hope they see the incredible people behind them. On behalf of our entire community, thank you to every teacher who inspires learning, every principal who leads with purpose, every support professional who helps our schools thrive, every district leader who supports our mission, every School Board member who champions public education, every family who partners with us, and every student who comes to school ready to learn. You are the reason our schools shine. Together, we have built a school system our children deserve and one our community can proudly call its own."
The District's journey is one of determination, purpose, and continuous improvement. Since 2018-2019, the School District of Indian River County has climbed from 38th in Florida to becoming one of the state's premier public school systems. That progress has been driven by a shared belief that every child deserves access to outstanding educators, meaningful opportunities, and schools that inspire excellence.
This year's results reflect that commitment across every stage of a student's educational journey.
• The School District of Indian River County ranked among Florida's Top 10 in nine of the state's 12 accountability components, demonstrating exceptional performance from elementary through high school.
• Grade 3 English Language Arts proficiency increased to 76 percent, earning the third-highest ranking in Florida and reflecting the District's unwavering commitment to building strong readers from the very beginning of a child's educational journey.
• Middle School Acceleration has become one of the District's greatest success stories. Since 2018-2019, student participation and success in advanced coursework has increased 31 percentage points, moving the District's statewide ranking from 56th to 4th. Those numbers represent students discovering new possibilities, building confidence, and preparing themselves for even greater success in high school and beyond.
• The District also ranked among Florida's Top 6 in College and Career Acceleration, ensuring more students graduate with college credit, industry certifications, and experiences that open doors to limitless opportunities after graduation.
Across the District, that same spirit of growth is reflected in every school.
• Twenty-three of the District's 24 traditional public schools earned an A, representing 96 percent of traditional schools and the third-highest percentage of A-rated traditional public schools in Florida. Only two districts, each significantly smaller with just two and seven traditional schools, achieved a higher percentage.
• This year, Citrus Elementary School, Oslo Middle School, and Pelican Island Classical Magnet School each improved from a B to an A, reflecting the extraordinary dedication of educators, students, and families who never stopped believing that improvement was possible.
• Every charter school within the School District of Indian River County also earned an A, demonstrating that excellence extends across every public school option available to families.
The District's success is also reflected in the remarkable accomplishments of individual schools.
• Osceola Magnet School ranked 56th among Florida's 1,786 graded elementary schools.
• Liberty Magnet School and Beachland Elementary School tied for 15th statewide in Grade 3 English Language Arts, while Rosewood Magnet School ranked 27th and Osceola Magnet School ranked 36th.
• Fellsmere Academy posted the District's highest elementary title I school mathematics achievement at 81 percent, placing in the 84th percentile statewide.
• Sebastian River Middle School ranked among Florida's Top 100 performing middle schools, while Sebastian River High School ranked 46th among 310 Florida high schools serving student populations where at least half qualify for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting exceptional outcomes and opportunity for every learner.
“Our work begins again tomorrow," Dr. Moore said. "Another group of children will walk through our doors with new dreams, new questions, and endless potential. They deserve our very best, and that is exactly what our teachers, principals, support professionals, and district leaders are committed to giving them every day. We are honored that families continue to entrust us with educating the vast majority of our community's children. That trust inspires us to keep growing, keep innovating, and keep opening doors so every child can build a bright future right here in Indian River County.”
2026 Florida School Grades Highlights
• One of only 16 Florida school districts to earn four consecutive A district grades.
• Maintained a Top Five statewide ranking for the second consecutive year.
• Recorded the second-highest rate of growth among Florida's Top Five school districts.
• Highest-performing school district on the Treasure Coast.
• Ranked among Florida's Top 10 in 9 of the state's 12 accountability components.
• Twenty-three of 24 traditional public schools earned an A, representing 96 percent of traditional schools.
• Third-highest percentage of A-rated traditional public schools in Florida.
• Every charter school earned an A.
• Citrus Elementary School, Oslo Middle School, and Pelican Island Classical Magnet School each improved from a B to an A.
• Ranked 3rd in Florida in Grade 3 English Language Arts.
• Ranked 4th in Florida in Middle School Acceleration.
• Ranked among the Top 6 school districts in Florida in College and Career Acceleration.
Every child who graduates from the School District of Indian River County represents years of encouragement, perseverance, and belief. Those moments begin long before graduation. They begin when a teacher believes in a struggling reader, when a principal celebrates a student's success, when a family partners with a school, and when a community chooses to invest in its children.
That is the true measure of success.
The rankings affirm the work.
The children give it purpose.
This is more than a story. This is a movement.
Together, we are Connected by Community.
Together, we are MySDIRC.
For updates and announcements, visit https://www.indianriverschools.org/ or follow us on Facebook at School District of Indian River County and Dr. David K. Moore, and on Instagram @MySDIRC.