Volusia County Schools is one of 18 Florida districts named academically high-performing for 2025-26, after back-to-back A grades. What the state label brings.

The Florida Department of Education has named Volusia County Schools an Academically High-Performing School District for the 2025-26 school year. The district runs the public schools in Daytona Beach.

Only 18 of Florida’s 67 school districts earned the designation, the district said in a news release Saturday. The release includes a letter from Commissioner of Education Henry Mack.

How a district qualifies

State law sets three tests, in section 1003.621 of the Florida Statutes. A district must:

  • earn an A district grade two years in a row, with no district-run school graded F
  • comply with the class-size limits in the Florida Constitution
  • have no material weaknesses or material noncompliance in its annual financial audit

Volusia met all three, according to the district. It earned an A district grade again this year and stayed within the class-size limits. The district also cited its financial audits.

“This is a team win,” Superintendent Carmen Balgobin said in the release. “Strong academics, smart use of taxpayer dollars, and right sized classrooms. That’s what Volusia is delivering together.”

Balgobin also thanked the School Board for its support.

What the designation does

The label lasts three years under the statute. It gives the district some freedom from state rules. The law lists, among others:

  • exemption from many school district provisions in Chapters 1000 to 1013 of state law, and the State Board rules that carry them out
  • flexibility over some required spending levels and how instructional materials are bought
  • the option of up to two days of virtual instruction within the required school days, under a plan the State Board approves

Some things do not change. The district must still follow state law on students with disabilities, civil rights, student health and safety, testing and school grades, budgeting, teacher pay and evaluation, and the uniform school start date.

If a district-run school earns an F during the three years, the designation is suspended.

What it means for you

  • Nothing changes at the school door yet. The designation allows flexibility. The district has not said whether it will use any of it.
  • School grades still count. Every school stays in the state’s A to F grading system.
  • Ask the board. Volusia County School Board meetings are open to the public. The district’s community information office is at 386-734-7190, ext. 20230.

Our public schools guide covers every school serving Daytona Beach, with their state grades. Our schools page has enrollment and zoning links.