TALLAHASSEE — On July 11, the Florida Department of Education released the district and school grades for 2019.

The number of “A” schools in Florida continues to rise with 1,172 schools earning an “A” in 2018-19, compared with 1,043 in 2017-18. The percentage of schools earning an “A” increased to 36 percent, up from 31 percent in 2017-18.

The Hendry County School District maintained a “C” grade for 2019. The district also had a C in 2018, 2017 and 2016.

• LaBelle Middle School received a “B,” an improvement from “C” in 2018.

• Clewiston Middle School received a “D,” compared with a “C” in 2018.

• LaBelle Elementary School improved from an “F” in 2018 to a “C” in 2019.

• Westside Elementary School earned a “C” in 2019, and had a “C” in 2018.

• Eastside Elementary School had a “B” in 2019 and had a “B” in 2018.

• Central Elementary School had “B” in 2019 and had a “B” in 2018.

• LaBelle High School earned a “B” in 2019, an improvement from a “C” in 2018.

• Country Oaks Elementary School earned a “C” in 2019, compared to a “B” in 2018.

• Edward A. Upthegrove Elementary had a “C” in 2019 and a “C” in 2018.

• Clewiston High School had a “C” in 2019 and a “C” in 2018.

Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran said: “Education is the means by which we free children from the shackles of ignorance. A community has a right to have key insights into its schools and school grades. Meeting that goal is essential for any community to truly provide future generations the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. We are pleased to share this spectacular news and to reiterate our commitment to ensuring Florida has the #1 education system in the nation.”

The Florida Department of Education calculates school grades annually based on up to 11 components, including student achievement and learning gains on statewide, standardized assessments and high school graduation rate. School grades provide parents and the general public an easily understandable way to measure the performance of a school and understand how well each school is serving its students.

In addition to school grades, the department also calculates district grades annually based on the same criteria.

Twenty-four districts are now graded “A” in Florida, and for the second year in a row, there are no districts graded “D” or “F.”

Fifty-four of Florida”s 67 school districts are graded “A” or “B.”

State Board of Education Chair Marva Johnson said, “For one student to spend even a single day in a failing school is unacceptable. That is why, as a Board, we rely on the concrete evidence that our accountability system provides to make student-centered policy decisions. I express my sincere appreciation for the teachers and parents whose unconditional support enables our students to thrive.”