Escambia County Graduation Rate Falls While State Increases

January 16, 2023

Graduation rates in Escambia County have fallen, while rising across the state, according to newly released data from the Florida Department of Education.

Late Friday afternoon, DOE announced that Florida’s 2021-22 high school graduation rate was 87.3%, an increase of 0.4 percentage points over the 2018-19 pre-pandemic school year.

Escambia County’s 2021-22 high school graduation rate was 78.4%, a decrease of 6.4% points compared to the 2018-19 pre-pandemic school year, and down from 87% from 2020-21.

‘”Comparing 2018-2019 to 2021-2022 represents a true ‘apples to apples’ comparison, as the 2018-19 school year was the last year prior to 2021-22 that Florida’s statewide, standardized assessment requirements for graduation were in place without exemption waivers,” DOE noted.

In Escambia County, West Florida High had the highest graduation rate for 2021-22 at 98%, followed by Northview High at 86% and Tate High at 85.9%.

Here are the 2021-22 for high schools in Escambia County:

  • West Florida High — 98 %
  • Northview High — 86 %
  • Tate High — 85.9 %
  • Escambia Westgate — 85.7 %
  • Washington High — 80.3 %
  • Pensacola High — 79.2 %
  • Pine Forest High — 76.6 %
  • Escambia High — 72.8 %
  • Success Academy — 61.5 %

Pictured: Northview High School Class of 2022 Valedictorian Hunter Borelli addresses his fellow graduates. Northview had the second highest graduation rate in Escambia County at 86% in 2022. NorthEscambia.com file photo.

Comments

18 Responses to “Escambia County Graduation Rate Falls While State Increases”

  1. TM17 on January 17th, 2023 5:53 pm

    I’ve had two kids come through West Florida High in the last three years. Don’t let that 98% rate fool you. If a student isn’t passing along and making academic progress, they are sent back to their home school.
    West Florida top twenty percent are no better than any other school in the district, but they don’t have to deal with the bottom two percent that cause many disruptions in the other district high schools classrooms.

  2. Bonnie Exner on January 17th, 2023 2:05 pm

    After spending 33 years in a secondary class room in Escambia County, I have made the following observations ..
    1. Not everyone needs a college degree.. .they need a relivant employable skill that they can earn an honest living with..I would love to see a WEST FLORIDA type high school in each of the 5 school districts [ that does take more money than most tax payers are willing to spend unfortunately]
    2.Many taxpayers that have moved to Florida have already gotten their children through k -12 grades and are unwilling to spend more taxes on school impovements,salaries, etc.
    3. PARENTS NEED TO BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN ALL LEVELS OF THEIR CHILD’S EDUCATION..only then will the graduation rates increase.

  3. Bob West on January 17th, 2023 12:14 pm

    Success Academy “is committed to academic excellence”. With a 61.5% graduation rate?? So, if almost half of the students never came to class, the graduation rate would be virtually unchanged!! AND, unfortunately, if you think 21-22’s scores were atrocious, wait until 22-23’s results are published.

  4. Miss Priss on January 17th, 2023 11:07 am

    WOW! I can’t speak on the other schools (perhaps I can-but I choose not to) but West Florida High School puts their student academics FIRST. The counselors at that school are top tier and work very very hard to ensure that every avenue is covered to ensure that all graduation requirements are met each year. The climate at WF has been that of academic excellence since it opened. The previous principal who is now the Deputy Superintendent was TOP NOTCH! Can’t blame parents or anyone else that chooses WFHS as their school. They are truly second to none. I’ve noticed at some of these other schools in our area that the parents AND kids are only interested in who is the best athlete….ijs.

  5. Lee Williams on January 17th, 2023 10:05 am

    Success Academy isn’t.

  6. NPC on January 17th, 2023 8:37 am

    If the graduate what jobs are available locally from them to have a career?

  7. Just saying on January 17th, 2023 7:51 am

    I wonder what the rate would be for PHS if the gifted students also didn’t go there?

  8. derek on January 16th, 2023 6:08 pm

    when kids are addicted to social media and attached to their cell phones at school this is what you get. Now factor in slow learners and parents that fail to work with their child at home. Did i mention the massive disciplinary problems in school?? Just a few things that affect learning.

  9. teatime on January 16th, 2023 3:00 pm

    It’s an awesome school if you’re accepted through the lottery system , so students are traveling to school by pov or school bus trunk route.
    Many factors are involved in applying/ acceptance so parents need to parent and get their children in middle school to understand the path to job opportunities that don’t require college degrees.

  10. J.Larry Seale on January 16th, 2023 2:16 pm

    this is just another example on how.
    Escambia county and school system
    have fail to meet the changing type.
    of kids that now live in Escambia County

  11. Bill on January 16th, 2023 12:27 pm

    That more than 1 in 4 students at Escambia High don’t make it is unforgivable. Frank Murphy has been principal there since 2015 (according to wikipedia). If a child having an over 25% chance of failing to graduate doesn’t shout failed leadership I don’t know what does. Shameful and deplorable. Demand a change.

  12. anne on January 16th, 2023 11:52 am

    I’ve lost track since my kids are grown. Is this school the old Woodham?

  13. Lisa Fuller on January 16th, 2023 9:34 am

    West Florida High offers specialized programs with students from all across the district attending there so it seems reasonable their graduation rate would be the highest. Kudos to those students willing to travel to get the education they want. Having said that, Northview has the highest graduation rate among the other traditional district high schools. Of course 86% is not as high as we would hope, but sometimes you need to celebrate the small victories.

  14. Bobby on January 16th, 2023 9:31 am

    Maybe if they got rid of all the trash books and replace them with something worth reading, young folks would find education more valuable!

  15. Question on January 16th, 2023 9:04 am

    1 question. What was our graduation rates prior to Tim Smith? Seems like since he has arrived and the people who voted to lose their right to decide on Superintendent, the local school systems have dropped dramatically. It’s time to be rid of Dr. Smith and appoint someone who has a plan and knows what they are doing. I mean, he’s appointing principles of failing schools to A and B schools. If they couldn’t get the job done previously, what makes you think they will be successful in other schools. If I failed at my job, I wouldn’t get an opportunity to ruin another department where I work. It’s long past time that the people in charge be held accountable (Superintendent, School Board, principles, etc…)

  16. Citizen on January 16th, 2023 8:01 am

    There are many reasons students drop out.
    Senseless to argue about that. However, the system needs to provide different tracks. Bring trades back to the high school and have students graduate with a trade and a high school diploma. If they decide on a trade track. Instead of vintage classics in the language arts classes- allow the students to have manuals and writings that reflect leaned knowledge. Math classes that accompany their trade. It’s okay not to go to college. I’m thankful for my plumber, auto mechanic, hair dresser, and etc.

  17. Jeff Howard on January 16th, 2023 6:48 am

    So, does Success Academy have to change its name?

  18. Reality Check on January 16th, 2023 4:40 am

    Maybe if they spent more time teaching and less time trying to ban books, they might have a higher graduation rate.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News