FAMU DRS Celebrates “B” Grade in 2025-26 Florida School Grades Report

Tallahassee, Fla.—July 1—Florida A&M University (FAMU) is proud to announce its school district, FAMU Developmental Research School (FAMU DRS) has earned a “B” grade from the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) for the 2025-26 school year. The grade was released this week as part of FLDOE’s statewide School Grades report and represents the first time in recent history the district as excelled to this status.

“FAMU DRS’s B grade reflects real progress — and real progress is worth acknowledging. It is a testament to the dedication of our educators, the engagement of our families, and the potential of our students,” said FAMU President Marva B. Johnson, J.D. “FAMU DRS is a reflection of the excellence we cultivate through FAMU’s College of Education, and we know that our potential will lead us to an A. We will keep celebrating every step forward, even as we press toward the standard we know is possible. That is the covenant we make with our students — forward ever.”

School grades are calculated using measures of student achievement, learning gains, graduation rate, and acceleration success across English Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. FAMU DRS’s “B” places it among roughly a quarter of Florida schools earning this grade for this academic year, and reflects the sustained effort of the students, faculty, and families throughout the 2025–26 school year.

“This achievement is a testament to the hard work of our students, the dedication of our teachers and staff, and the strong partnership we share with FAMU DRS families,” said Micheal Johnson, superintendent for FAMU DRS. “We are proud of this progress and remain committed to continuous improvement across every grade level.”

“Receiving a ‘B’ grade from the Florida Department of Education is a significant milestone for FAMU DRS,” said Allyson L. Watson, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs for FAMU. “As a laboratory school, FAMU DRS carries the added responsibility of modeling excellence in teaching and learning for educators across our state and beyond. This progress reflects the strength of our partnership between the University and the district and reaffirms our shared commitment to preparing every student for success.”

FAMU Board of Trustees Chair Deveron Gibbons, J.D., commended the FAMU DRS students, faculty and staff for their dedication to excellence.

"Florida A&M University Developmental Research School (DRS) has made history. For the first time in recent memory, DRS has earned a 'B' grade from the Florida Department of Education, placing our district among the top tier of schools statewide,” said Gibbons. “From day one as chair, I made DRS a Board priority: we formed a dedicated committee and committed to the long work of transformation. This grade is proof that our students, staff, and families answered that commitment with results. This milestone is worth celebrating. An 'A' is within reach, and this Board is committed to making FAMU DRS a lasting pipeline for excellence."

FAMU DRS, a K–12 laboratory school, serves as a center for teaching innovation, research, and demonstration in mathematics, science, technology, and foreign languages. School leadership expressed gratitude to the entire FAMU DRS community for their continued commitment to academic excellence and reaffirmed the district’s focus on building toward an “A” in the years ahead.

For more information about FAMU DRS and its academic programs, visit www.famudrs.org.

Source: Florida Department of Education, 2025–26 School Grades Results Packet, released July 2026.

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