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Preliminary data show historic gains for Hendry County Schools; state numbers pending
Summary
District leaders presented preliminary, locally compiled school performance data showing projected increases across elementary and secondary schools, with several elementary schools likely to reach A/B levels. Officials cautioned the figures are unofficial until the state finalizes counts.
Superintendent Swindle and district staff presented preliminary academic results showing what officials called unusually large gains across Hendry County Schools, while cautioning the state’s official numbers are not yet final.
The presentation, led by district presenter Sanchez and supported by Dr. Staley, offered the district’s internal calculations and projections. Sanchez said the district’s local data “could possibly change” once the state releases final counts in the coming weeks, and Staley called the year “historic,” saying there is a “great probability that over 50% of our schools will either be B or A rated schools.”
District presenters highlighted elementary performance gains in third‑grade literacy and learning gains, with several elementary schools projected above the 62% threshold that state guidance uses to assign an A rating. Officials pointed to Clewiston-area elementary schools and LaBelle elementary growth as notable improvements and noted pockets of strong fifth‑grade science performance districtwide.
At the secondary level, the presenters said three of four secondary schools showed year‑over‑year growth. The report projected LaBelle High School rising into the mid‑ to high‑50s in eligible school points and noted the district’s graduation rate increased at LaBelle High School (projected from 87% to 88%) and at Clewiston High School (projected from 82% to 87%). The district stated that, if preliminary estimates hold, this would be the first year every one of the district’s 10 schools would be above 50% of eligible points.
Board members and staff used the presentation to flag continuing challenges. Superintendent Swindle and other speakers stressed staffing shortages—vacancies and mid‑year departures—as the primary constraint on sustaining and expanding gains. “If I had a magic wand, obviously, we would hire teachers in every position,” Swindle said. Board members asked for cohort tracking (for example, comparing a school’s fifth‑grade outcomes to the same students’ sixth‑grade results) and for a follow‑up presentation when the state’s official counts are released.
District leaders emphasized the presentation was based on the district’s raw data and invited questions at a later, official briefing once the state finalizes the counts.
Officials did not propose or vote on any policy changes during the presentation; the item was informational.
