Duval County Public Schools announced it has reached an A rating in the state accountability system, Superintendent Christopher Bernier said during a joint meeting of the Jacksonville City Council and the Duval County School Board. The district scored 762 points under the state formula, Bernier said, and will need an additional 12 points to make the same threshold under future state increases.

Bernier said the district's graduation rate for traditional schools has cracked 95 percent and that 10 schools rose two letter grades while 35 rose one grade in the most recent reporting cycle. "Ten schools jumped two letter grades," he said, "and 35 moved one letter grade. Those are real kids, real classrooms, real teachers changing outcomes." He also highlighted the district's Duval Ready diploma, which he said requires career exploration, demonstrated workplace professionalism, teamwork, problem solving and a capstone project for participating students.

Why it matters: The A grade signals broad gains across tested areas and is used by businesses, families and education partners as a marker of system performance. Bernier emphasized that the grade reflects both classroom instruction and district systems such as progress monitoring, which gives teachers and leaders interim data during the year rather than only year-end results.

What the district said it will do: Bernier described a three-step progress-monitoring cadence (PM1 in the fall, PM2 in midyear and PM3 as the high-stakes check) that district leaders use to give individualized "prescriptions" for students' instruction. "We gave all our fourth graders the fourth-grade test in October to find strengths and weaknesses early," Bernier said. He said regional leadership teams and principals meet in ASA sessions to review data and write interventions for classrooms, and teachers use adaptive electronic tools to deliver differentiated practice.

Board and council questions: Council members asked how the district will secure the 12 additional points needed to retain the A in future years. Bernier replied the district has completed PM1 and the districtwide benchmarks, and that PM2 (January–February) will give clearer evidence of whether current strategies are working. He said the district is keeping the same core approach that produced the gains: staffing the right people in instructional leadership positions, maintaining professional development, and progress monitoring with immediate adjustments.

Context and background: Bernier said 12 additional points will be required under the state's evolving accountability thresholds and likened the task to moving goalposts: "We need 12 more points just to keep it based upon the way the state continues to drive increased proficiency." He also credited long-term instructional supports, principal leadership and partnerships that include local business engagement and community programs to support students.

What was not decided: The meeting included no formal votes or budgetary commitments tied to the A grade. Bernier and board members invited council members and community volunteers to participate in school advisory councils and volunteer in schools to support continued improvements.

Ending: Bernier closed by urging elected officials and business partners to visit classrooms and support student pathways, citing the district's goal to ensure graduates are ready for both college and career.