Two charter schools improve in their state grades

Schools advance from 'F' to 'C' grades

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Grades for Duval County's public elementary and middle schools were released Friday and overall the district received a C on its scores.

There were 22 failing schools compared to 11 failing schools in 2013. Administrators said charter schools contributed to the problem: six of them received F grades.

Duval School Superintendent Dr. Nikolai said he knows there is a lot of work that needs to be done to turn "F" schools around, but he pointed out that there has been some success in fixing several of the failing schools.

News4Jax spoke with Wayne Peterson, the academic director of the Global Outreach Charter School, on Friday afternoon. He said two charter schools he's worked with have changed their "F" rating to a "C" in just one year.

"Leadership was crucial. We had a consulting firm, Dr. James Young. Those were key. The right personnel, as well as the way we taught and delivered instruction," said Peterson.

Peterson took over SOS, School of Success Academy, when the Charter had an "F" grade and was faced with being shut down if it didn't improve.

Now, Peterson works with the Global Outreach Charter School and in just one year also turned that school around. Global Outreach also advanced from an "F" to a "C" this year.

"We look at our schools as a corporation or organization, then we can provide proper leadership that would motivate and inspire teachers, parents and students," said Peterson. "We were able to inspire the entire body that impacted student achievement, and it worked."

Because School of Success and Global Outreach were able to improve their grades, they are no longer in danger of closing.