Posted July 8, 2025

MEDIA RELEASE

Brooksville, Fla. – The Hernando County School District (HCSD) earned an overall grade of “B” with 61% in total points as reported in the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) annual report of school and district grades released July 7.

“These achievements highlight the hard work and determination of our students and the dedication of our faculty and staff who are committed to ensuring our students succeed in their academic endeavors,” said Gina Michalicka, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning. 

The district is now 3% away from an “A” grade rating after an increase of 2% from 2024 assessment results. 

Schools increasing their grade from last year are Powell Middle School, D.S. Parrott Middle School, Central High School, Pine Grove Elementary School, Winding Waters K-8 and B.E.S.T. Academy.   

District schools that received an “A” were Chocachatti Elementary School, Challenger K-8, Hernando E-School, Gulf Coast Academy of Arts and Sciences and B.E.S.T. Academy. 

None of Hernando County Schools were rated below a “C”. 

Grades for schools in the Hernando County School District are listed below:

Hernando High School- C
Central High School- B
F.W. Springstead High School- B
Nature Coast Technical High School- B
Weeki Wachee High School- B
Hernando E-School- A
Challenger K-8 School of Science and Mathematics- A
Explorer K-8- C
Winding Waters K-8- B
D.S. Parrott Middle School- B
Powell Middle School- B
West Hernando Middle School- B
Fox Chapel Middle School- C
Brooksville Elementary School- C
Westside Elementary School- C
Eastside Elementary School- C
Spring Hill Elementary School- C
John D. Floyd Elementary School- C
Pine Grove Elementary School- B
Deltona Elementary School- C
Moton Elementary School- C
Suncoast Elementary School- B
Chocachatti Elementary School- A
Gulf Coast Academy of Science and Technology- A
Brooksville Engineering, Science and Technology Academy- A
Gulf Coast Elementary School- C
Endeavor Academy improved their School Grade Improvement Rating to Maintaining. 

Other notable improvements the district received are:

Districtwide 2025 results showed increases in 10 out of the 12 school grade components.
Grade 3 English Language Arts (ELA) Achievement increased by 3% points to 59%
English Language Arts (ELA) Achievement increased by 4% points to 54%
Mathematics Achievement increased by 5% points to 54%
Science Achievement increased by 3% points to 55%
Social Studies Achievement increased by 5% points to 69%
English Language Arts (ELA) Learning Gains increased by 2% points to 56%
English Language Arts (ELA) Learning Gains Lowest 25% increased by 3% to 57%
Mathematics Learning Gains increased by 3% to 55%
Middle School Acceleration increased by 2% points to 69%
College and Career Acceleration increased by 6% points to 65%
   
Schools with notable gains:
CES: Grade 3 ELA Achievement increased 10%
EES: Grade 3 ELA Achievement increased 15%
FES: Mathematics Learning Gains increased by 10%
MES: Mathematics Learning Gains of Lowest 25% increased 20%
PGES: Mathematics Achievement increased by 13%
SES: Science Achievement increased by 12%
DSPMS: Increased in all 9 school grade components 
FCMS: Social Studies Achievement increased by 20%
PMS: Mathematics Achievement increased by 13%
CHS: Mathematics Achievement increased by 11% 
SHS: Science Achievement increased by 10%
WWHS: College and Career Acceleration increased by 19%
NCTHS: College and Career Acceleration increased by 11%
CK8: 94% of students were at grade level or above in Social Studies Achievement
WWK8: Middle School Acceleration increased by 21%
B.E.S.T. Academy: ELA Learning Gains of Lowest 25% Increased by 48%
GCES: Grade 3 ELA Achievement increased 15%
GCA: 97% of students were at grade level or above in Social Studies Achievement

This year was the first year Ray Pinder led the district as superintendent. 

“Our team remains committed to providing a safe and enriching learning environment for the students of Hernando County and we celebrate these accomplishments as we continue to work towards enhancing educational opportunities in our district,” said Ray Pinder, Hernando County School District Superintendent.