Best Public Schools in Pensacola, FL

The Pensacola, Florida school district encompasses 59 schools, including 32 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, 13 high schools, and 6 alternative schools. The district serves students across the city and surrounding areas, with a mix of traditional public, magnet, and charter school options.

Several schools stand out as top performers in the district. West Florida High School/Technical is the highest-ranked high school, earning 4 out of 5 stars and ranking 126th out of 844 high schools statewide. Brown Barge Middle School and N.B. Cook Elementary School are also exceptional, earning 5 out of 5 stars and ranking among the top schools in their respective categories. The Pensacola State Charter Academy is another high-performing high school, ranking 53rd out of 844 statewide.

However, the district as a whole faces some challenges, with proficiency rates lagging behind state averages by 5-15 percentage points on most assessments. The district-wide 4-year graduation rate is 89.7%, while the chronic absenteeism rate is 31.4%. There are also significant funding disparities, with per-student spending ranging from $6,777 to $57,284. Addressing these systemic issues, particularly in high-poverty schools, could be key to improving outcomes across the Escambia school district.