District Newsroom

State of Our Schools - Superintendent's Address: Volusia County Schools trending in right direction

What was shared: Historic academic achievement

• District earned first A-grade in 16 years, improving in 10 of 12 FLDOE accountability areas.

• School grades: 28 A-rated schools (up from 17); 75% of schools A or B (up from 62%); 100% of 
traditional schools A, B, or C. Zero D or F schools.

• All VCS high schools rated A or B—the first time in district history. 

• Assessment gains: ELA up at every grade level (3–10); Geometry +15 points (largest gain in Central 
Florida); Science 7 points above state average in grades 5 and 8.

• Standout school: Edith I. Starke Elementary, D to A in one year—one of two schools in Florida to 
achieve that in a single year.

• CTE momentum: 4,600+ industry certifications; $3M in grants for aerospace/engineering; 400+ student internships; 150+ pre-apprentices in Electrical, HVAC, and Welding.

Current direction: Where VCS stands today

• Academic excellence as the standard—not the exception: High expectations districtwide backed by 
intentional targeted intervention, MTSS, and a tiered school support model.

• Advanced pathways at every high school: AP, AICE (Cambridge), IB, and 279+ CTE courses. Tuition-free dual enrollment through Daytona State College and the Advanced Technology Center (ATC).

• Safe and supported schools: AI Weapon detection systems deployed in high schools, only public school in Florida to do this successfully. Mental health counselors, social workers, psychologists, and nurses in all 80+ schools.

• Student well-being infrastructure: MTSS, Section 504, chronic absenteeism 6% reductions and 
rebranding our outreach (“All Day, Every Day”), VAPE program for grades (4-12), My Words, My Power program for grades (K-5) and wraparound services at every campus.

• School choice accountability: VCS is competing for enrollment through results—not default. The 
Retain, Recoup, Recruit strategy drives community outreach, digital campaigns, and Parent 
Ambassadors to share all the great things happening in Volusia Schools.

Future direction: Where VCS is heading

• Cambridge Lower Secondary—6 middle schools, Fall 2026 (NEW): Campbell, Creekside, Galaxy, 
Ormond Beach, River Springs, and T. Dewitt Taylor Middle-High. Two-year phase: Gr. 6–7 in Year 1; Gr. 6–8 in Year 2. Direct pipeline to AICE. Research: Cambridge students graduate FSU at 90% within 4 years vs. 78% of peers; 98% earn passing grades in follow-on college courses.

• Elementary expansion: Gifted & Talented at Tomoka Elementary; Fine Arts Magnet at T.T. Small; 
Technology Magnet at Chisholm Elementary (School of Innovation); expanded Dual Language programs districtwide.

• Dual enrollment growth: Expanding tuition-free college credit partnerships with Daytona State College and ATC in 2026–27, targeting students who have never accessed accelerated coursework.

• Schools of Innovation: Atlantic HS, Deltona HS, Chisholm Elementary—with additional designations planned.

• Enrollment strategy: Mobile district presence, new housing development outreach, digital/social 
campaigns, and a Parent Ambassador Program expanding community reach.

“This A is more than a measure of academic success. It is a reflection of a district and a community 
that chose to come together—with purpose and with heart—to ignite a passion for learning in all 
students.” — Dr. Carmen Balgobin, Superintendent, Volusia County School

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Volusia County Schools’ vision is to create life-long learners prepared for an ever-changing global society. The VCS Strategic Plan: www.vcsedu.org/strategic-plan.