School District of Palm Beach County Outpaces State in FY26 Assessment Results

The School District of Palm Beach County announces strong academic achievements in the newly released 2025-2026 statewide assessment results. The data reveals that a record-high 62% of students in English Language Arts (ELA) and 63% of students in mathematics scored a level 3 or higher. With the state averaging 61% in both ELA and mathematics, Palm Beach County successfully outperformed statewide performance in both subject areas and demonstrated strong growth with a remarkable 12-percentage-point increase in performance for both subjects since the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) progress monitoring system began.

"I am incredibly proud of our students, teachers, administrators, and support staff whose hard work and dedication resulted in this impressive academic growth," said Superintendent Mike Burke. "Consistently outpacing the state averages is a direct result of Team Palm Beach's commitment to academic excellence. Our community's support of Palm Beach County schools further elevates this work by providing the resources our students and educators need to succeed. The voter-approved one-mill property tax allows us to offer competitive salaries to recruit and retain the highly talented educators who guide our students to these achievements. Together, we continue to prove why the 'A' rated School District of Palm Beach County is your best choice to ignite your future."

FAST ELA

• Palm Beach performed higher than the State in grades 4 through 8 and 10.
• Grades 4, 5, 8, and 10 showed the largest increases from FY25 in students scoring level 3 or higher among the Large Urban Districts; the highest increase occurring in grade 8 (56 to 64%).
• Palm Beach increased the percentage of students scoring level 3 or higher in grades 3-10 (combined) at a similar rate to the State and other Large Urban Districts from FY25 to FY26.
• Palm Beach decreased the number of grade 3 students scoring at Level 1 (at risk for retention) by 2 percentage points from 23 to 21%.

FAST Math

• The percent of Palm Beach students scoring level 3 or higher in Math overall exceeded the State by 2 percentage points and exceeded the state average in grades 3, 5, 6, and 8.
• Compared to the other Large Urban Districts, Palm Beach showed the largest increase in performance in grade 4 (+5 percentage points) and 5 (+7 percentage points) as well as showing the highest performance among the Large Urban Districts in grade 8 (68%).
• Grades 4 and 7 Math proficiency is not directly comparable between districts due to differences in acceleration practices.

BEST Algebra 1 and Geometry EOCs

• Palm Beach exceeded the State by 3 percentage points in Algebra 1 and Geometry.
• Performance in Algebra 1 increased by 4 percentage points from 62 to 66% at Level 3 or higher in FY26 compared to FY25, tied for highest among the Large Urban Districts.
• Performance in Geometry increased by 3 percentage points from 56 to 59% at Level 3 or higher in FY26 compared to FY25, exceeding both Miami-Dade and Broward in growth.

Statewide Science Assessment

• Grade 5 and 8 Science performance matched the statewide performance.
• Palm Beach increased performance in grade 5 (+6 percentage points) compared to FY25, tied for first in growth with Broward.
• Palm Beach increased performance in grade 8 (+6 percentage points) compared to FY25. 

End-of-Course Exams

• Performance on the Biology EOC increased by 3 percentage points (72 to 75%) compared to FY25.
• Performance on the Civics EOC increased by 5 percentage points (72 to 77%) compared to FY25.
• Performance on the U.S. History EOC increased by 7 percentage points (66 to 73%) compared to FY25.
• Palm Beach exceeded the statewide performance in Biology and Civics and matched the state on the U.S. History EOC. Growth on the U.S. History EOC exceeded that of the other Large Urban Districts.

In addition to the one-mill property tax, the District also thanks voters for their continued support of the half-penny sales tax renewed in 2024, which provides students with safe, modernized facilities and specialized equipment and technology to support various academic programs.

District and school leaders will use this end-of-year data to identify areas for additional instruction or support as they develop instructional plans for the 2026-2027 school year.

Read more in the Executive Summary.