Superintendent John Prince said Saint Lucie Public Schools earned an A district grade after the Florida Department of Education confirmed school and district scores on Monday, July 7, 2025. The district reported increases in proficiency and growth across reading, math, science and social studies that officials said produced the rating.

The news matters because an A district rating is the state accountability system's top designation and affects public perception, local planning and district messaging to families, staff and partners. Superintendent Prince framed the rating as the result of district-wide work on instruction, acceleration and targeted supports, and he sought board approval of four goals to sustain progress.

Doctor Ocampo, the district presenter, told the board the department's data show gains across grades 3–10 reading and in multiple math grade levels, with algebra and geometry proficiency rising 5% and 7% respectively. He said St. Lucie’s overall growth score rose more sharply in 2025 than 2024, and that the district’s combined point total reached 777 points—above the 760 points needed for an A. "We scored 777, lucky sevens, to score that A rating," Ocampo said during the presentation.

The presentation included a multi-year trend on college and career acceleration, which the district cited as up 235% over 10 years; Ocampo also reported a 2‑point increase in the graduation rate to 94 for the class of 2024 and gains in middle‑school acceleration and CCA indicators. Superintendent Prince highlighted district standings such as being among the top 15 districts for high‑school acceleration and top 10 in several learning‑gain categories for lower‑performing students.

Board members and staff credited teachers, principals and district support teams. Board member Richardson called the A "our first A ever" and praised specific school turnarounds; Richardson highlighted Dan McCarty Middle School’s jump to a B after the school set a goal of 510 points and met it. Superintendent Prince repeatedly emphasized classroom instruction as the principal driver and thanked staff across operations, transportation and food service for their roles.

The board approved the superintendent’s proposed 2025–26 goals — focusing on core instruction (reading, math, science, social studies), an expanded classrooms‑to‑careers initiative, reinvestment in older facilities, and enhanced student and staff mental‑health supports — by unanimous vote, 5–0. The board also completed the routine annual evaluation of Superintendent Prince, voting unanimously to rate his overall performance as "satisfactory."

Officials noted the role of the November 5, 2024 voter approval of a half‑penny surtax in enabling investments the district cited during its goals review. Ocampo said the surtax renewal passed with 67% approval.

District leaders said work will continue on early literacy, acceleration pathways and facility reinvestment planning; Superintendent Prince invited the public to a July 29 workshop to discuss reinvestment and school‑by‑school plans. He also said new district branding and a logo would appear on fleet vehicles beginning next week.

At closing, board members and the superintendent encouraged continued support for teachers and staff as the district implements its goals and follows up on data-driven initiatives.