As Lake County Schools celebrates its first district-wide “A” grade since 2008, charter schools across the county are also taking pride in a job well done.

In the excitement surrounding the district’s academic milestone, the achievements of the county’s 10 public charter schools may have flown under the radar. But their impact was significant, with eight earning an A rating from the Florida Department of Education, while the remaining two received B grades. Not a single charter school in Lake County earned below a B.

Schools earning an “A” include Pinecrest Academy Four Corners, Minneola Charter, Altoona School, Imagine Schools at South Lake, Pinecrest Academy Tavares, Round Lake Charter, Pinecrest Lakes Middle/High Academy and Pinecrest Lakes Academy. Spring Creek Charter and Mascotte Charter each received a “B.”

These charter schools, which serve nearly 8,000 students and employ hundreds of educators and support staff, contribute to the overall district performance and were instrumental in achieving the “A” rating.

“Lake’s charter schools are doing exceptional work,” Spring Creek Charter Principal and CEO Wes Locke says. “We seldom receive any recognition from the school district, however our school grades aide in the districts grade calculations. Without 100% of the district’s sponsored charter schools it would be difficult for the district to receive a district grade of A. I, in no way, want to take away from the district accomplishment. It needs to be celebrated. I do want to highlight the hard work and effort put into this accomplishment by the district sponsored charter schools!”

The work being done at these charter schools aligns with the same mission celebrated throughout the traditional public schools—focused, data-driven instruction and commitment to student achievement. While charter schools operate with more flexibility than district-run schools, they are held to the same standards when it comes to academic performance and accountability.

As with the traditional schools in the district, charter schools also saw improvements in state testing and continue to support students in core subject areas. Their success contributes directly to the broader progress seen throughout Lake County this year.

Together, all public schools in Lake County, district-operated and charter, are sharing in the achievement, raising the bar for education across the region.