Which are Manatee County’s ‘Schools of Excellence’?

The Florida State Board of Education designated seven Manatee schools as Schools of Excellence Wednesday.

Schools of Excellence must consecutively receive an A or B grade in the previous three years and rank within at least the 80th percentile for at least two of the past three years.

The seven schools: Anna Maria Elementary, Gullett Elementary, McNeal Elementary, Willis Elementary, Witt Elementary, Nolan Middle and Lakewood Ranch High.

“The entire School District of Manatee County celebrates this wonderful recognition of our Schools of Excellence,” Superintendent Diana Greene said in a news release. “The students, parents, teachers, support employees and administrators at all of these schools have earned this important accolade and they will serve as shining examples to all of us as to what is possible and obtainable.”

There are only 347 elementary schools, 116 middle schools and 96 high schools that qualify as Schools of Excellence in Florida. According to the Florida Department of Education, there are more than 1,900 elementary schools, 580 middle schools and 600 high schools across the state.

This story was originally published October 18, 2017 at 2:55 PM with the headline "Which are Manatee County’s ‘Schools of Excellence’?."