Winter Park School’s Grade Drops to C, Parents Express Concerns

When Florida released its annual A-to-F school report cards last week, many institutions celebrated significant improvements. However, for Brookshire Elementary School in Winter Park, the news was sobering. The school received a C grade for the current academic year, marking its lowest rating since the state began issuing these grades in 1999. Out of more than 3,400 schools across Florida, Brookshire was one of only 19 to receive a C grade after achieving an A in 2024.

The state’s A-to-F grading system, which has faced criticism for its reliance on standardized test scores, remains a crucial benchmark for parents and home buyers. Many view these grades as indicators of school quality, particularly in affluent neighborhoods like those surrounding Brookshire. This year, the evaluation focused on students’ performance in subjects including language arts, math, science, and social studies, assessing both the percentage of students passing these exams and those demonstrating improvement over the previous year.

Data from the most recent evaluations revealed a concerning trend at Brookshire. Fewer students passed state exams compared to the previous year, and the number of students making “learning gains”—a term denoting progress from one year to the next—dropped sharply. Notably, the percentage of the lowest-performing students showing improvements in language arts plummeted from 71% last year to 26% this year.

Parent Lauren Hoffman, who has three children, expressed her worries regarding the school’s declining performance. She noted that while the teachers are “great,” her middle child, who has learning disabilities, received inadequate support after first grade. Hoffman switched her middle child to a private school mid-year due to her concerns about the lack of progress. “Especially for my middle one that struggles, I want to see the gain—I need to see that at least she’s learned something,” she stated.

Officials from Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) declined to comment directly on Brookshire’s situation but acknowledged in an emailed statement that the administration is focused on both celebrating achievements and identifying areas for improvement. “Our goal is to ensure our students have the best path for success,” the district remarked.

While OCPS highlighted that over 200 schools improved their grades this year, Brookshire remains an outlier. The school has been aware of challenges regarding learning gains since last year. Its 2024-25 school improvement plan identified a need to focus on enhancing math learning gains among low-performing students. Reports indicated that interventions for struggling students were insufficient and that staffing changes in the “math coach” position contributed to the declining scores. The plan includes small group assistance for students needing extra help, though specific resources were not detailed.

Located adjacent to Cady Way Park, Brookshire feeds into Glenridge Middle School and Winter Park High School, both of which consistently receive A grades. The school’s demographic includes affluent neighborhoods such as the Windsong subdivision, where property values can soar to $10 million. School grades often influence real estate decisions, even among buyers without children. Daniel Coombs, a real estate broker with over 25 years of experience in Central Florida, noted that many clients consider school quality important for future property value.

While a single mediocre grade may not significantly impact Brookshire or its surrounding community, real estate agent Todd Schroth warned that a sustained C grade could lead to changes in buyer sentiment. “Some of the people that are living there are going to want to move before their kids get into that school,” he cautioned. Past experiences have shown that when schools receive lower grades, families often seek alternatives, which can further impact the school’s resources and budget.

As Brookshire Elementary navigates its challenges, the focus remains on improving student outcomes and restoring confidence among parents and the community. The coming years will be crucial in determining whether the school can rebound from its recent setbacks and secure a brighter academic future.