When you're on the hunt for a new place to call home, location matters big time. It's not just about how close you are to the nearest grocery store or how safe the neighborhood is. If you've got kids or are planning to, checking out the local schools is a must.

In Florida, the school scene can be all over the map. You might find that some of the coolest spots to live don't necessarily have the best schools.

According to data from the Florida Department of Education, as of 2024, the 10 best school districts with the highest grades are:

1. Lafayette: A or 545 points

2. St. Johns: A or 528 points

3. Walton: A or 524 points

4. Nassau: A or 518 points

5. Sarasota: A or 504 points

6. Collier: A or 495 points

7. Liberty: A or 488 points

8. Gilchrist: A or 486 points

9. Miami-Dade: A or 480 points

10. Wakulla: ABor 480 points

School districts are assigned a letter grade of A, B, C, D, or F annually. The district grade is an overall measure of the student performance within that district. Individual schools also receive a grade, which can be used as a metric to measure the performance of the school.

Parents and the public can use the school grade and district grade to understand how well each school and district is serving its students. The grading system focuses on student success measures, such as achievement, learning gains, graduation, acceleration success, and maintaining a focus on students who need the most support.

When it comes to the 10 worst school districts, these include:

1. Jefferson: C or 287 points

2. Hamilton: C or 311 points

3. Desoto: C or 315 points

4. Gadsden: C or 315 points

5. Franklin: C or 347 points

6. Bradford: C or 354 points

7. Okeechobee: C or 367 points

8. Highlands: C or 370 points

9. Putnam: C or 377 points

10. Hendry: C or 380 points

Still, Florida overall earns high scores compared to other states in the U.S. In May 2024, U.S. News & World Report announced that Florida ranked #1 in the nation for education. The publication’s Best State ranking is based on a combination of strong performances in higher education and K–12 metrics.

“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida again ranks number one in education,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “By focusing on core academic subjects and excellence in the classroom, Florida stands ahead of the rest.”

Also announced recently, Florida ranked #1 in the Parent Power Index by the Center for Education Reform. The assessment focuses on alternative pathways and educational choices that parents and students have access to beyond traditional public schools.