Our youngest learners are starting their educational journeys strong, and nine Bay District Schools VPK programs are being recognized for it.

The Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida announced its highest-performing VPK providers based on Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) outcomes, with nine BDS schools earning either an Excellent or Above Expectations designation.

Four BDS schools earned Excellent, the highest performance level: Cedar Grove Elementary, Lucille Moore Elementary, Northside Elementary, and Parker Elementary.

Five additional schools earned Above Expectations: A. Gary Walsingham Academy, Callaway Elementary, Deane Bozeman School, Deer Point Elementary, and West Bay Elementary.

The recognition is especially meaningful as BDS continues to invest in early learning and expand VPK opportunities for families across our community. We know that the years before kindergarten matter tremendously. High-quality Pre-K experiences help children develop the early literacy, math, language and social skills they need to walk into kindergarten ready to learn, and that strong start can make a difference for years to come.

That's why BDS has made growing and strengthening its VPK program a priority, with plans to continue expanding opportunities so even more Bay County families can give their children that important head start.

These latest results are an encouraging sign that the work happening in our VPK classrooms is making an impact.

Congratulations to the students, teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators and families at all nine schools. When we invest in our youngest learners, we're investing in everything that comes next.