When asked about the school system's grades, Bay County School Superintendent Bill Husfelt says, "Everybody's just stepped up, even in trying times." Husfelt says he's pleased with the district's overall performance on the annual school grading process.

Twenty Bay County schools received an "A," the same number as last year. But, there are areas that need improvement. Three schools -- Bay High, Newpoint Bay and Springfield Elementary -- received "D" grades.

That's the most amount of "D's" since 2005, and there were none last year. Bay High dropped from a "B" last year to a "D." In fact, every high school in the county, except Arnold, dropped at least one letter grade. Arnold was the only high school to make gains and receive an "A" in Bay County.

Husfelt says, "Schools don't fail, districts do. And if we don't help them get better, then it's our fault, it's my fault."

There were some other bright spots. Tyndall Elementary has been an "A" school for ten years, and principal Libbie Pippin says there is no secret to their success: "I think it's hard work, I think it's teamwork, I think it's people who have heart for children."

Parker and Millville elementary schools showed the largest jumps, improving from "C's" to "A's." The Millville staff won't be able to celebrate the achievement; it no longer exists. The school board is re-purposing that facility to serve the Margaret K. Lewis school this fall.

Here are the overall grades for all the school districts in our area: Calhoun County maintained high marks, keeping it's "A" rating. Franklin County improved to a "B" from last year's "C." Gulf County kept its "A" grade. Holmes County slipped to a "B" from an "A." Jackson County didn't move up or down, maintaining it's "B" grade. Liberty County slipped one letter grade to a "C" from last year's "B." Okaloosa County kept up its straight "A's," and Walton County followed suit. Finally, Washington County improved to receive a "B," an upgrade from last year's "C."

Check the link at the bottom of this window to see individual school grades across the state.