Pinellas County schools outpace state in testing results

Pinellas County Schools students continue to outperform state averages in key academic areas, according to results released by the Florida Department of Education. The latest data, which covers the 2025 Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) and End-of-Course (EOC) exams, shows steady gains across English Language Arts, mathematics, science and social studies.

In English Language Arts, students in grades 3 through 10 achieved a 61 percent proficiency rate. This result places the district above the state average and among the top-performing large school districts in Florida. Pinellas students consistently outpaced state proficiency levels across all grade bands measured.

Mathematics scores mirrored this success. Across grades 3 through 12, students again reached a 61 percent proficiency rate, surpassing state averages. The district performed particularly well in elementary and middle school grades, as well as in Algebra I.

Science results also showed strong district performance. Fifth-grade students posted a 67 percent proficiency rate, while eighth graders reached 58 percent. Both scores exceeded statewide averages. In high school biology, 70 percent of students passed the End-of-Course exam, marking an eight-point improvement from the previous school year.

Social studies saw some of the district’s strongest results. In Civics, 78 percent of students passed the EOC exam, making it one of the highest scoring subjects for the district. U.S. History proficiency reached 71 percent, a five-point increase over last year’s results. District officials noted these social studies scores were well above the state averages.

Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Kevin Hendrick said the results reflect the district’s ongoing commitment to student achievement. “These results demonstrate the continued excellence and effort of our students,” Hendrick said in a prepared statement. “Pinellas County Schools is committed to 100 percent student success, and I am incredibly proud of the work we did as a community throughout the 2024-25 school year.”

State education officials reported that student achievement gaps across Florida are beginning to narrow, but the district has not yet received detailed subgroup data. Without this information, Pinellas County cannot immediately evaluate performance differences among student populations, including variations by race, income or disability status. District officials expect to review these details once the full data set is released.

The FAST assessments measure student proficiency at the end of the school year in English Language Arts and mathematics for grades 3 through 10. End-of-Course exams are used to assess mastery in subjects like Algebra I, Geometry, Civics, U.S. History and Biology.

The 2025 results mark the third year of the FAST assessment system, which replaced the former Florida Standards Assessments (FSA). Educators and administrators across the district view the continued gains as a sign that local strategies and community support are helping to sustain positive academic trends.

As the district prepares for the 2025-26 school year, leaders say they are focused on maintaining this momentum while working to ensure that all student groups are improving.