Plaza Ferdinand VII · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0Pensacola’s public schools score below 83% of Florida districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Pensacola’s districts is 43%, below the Florida average (52%). The grade covers the public school district serving Pensacola, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Florida, not nationally.
From Florida state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Pensacola’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 469 Florida towns with household incomes within a quarter of Pensacola’s, its schools beat 10%, lower than their 17% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 44% of tested students were proficient in reading and 43% in math, against 52% and 52% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
81% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,721 per student, against $13,006 across Florida (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Seven elementary schools, then one middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Hillcrest Private Academy (private), Episcopal Day School of Christ Church Parish (private), East Hill Christian School (private), St. Paul Catholic School (private), Sacred Heart Cathedral School (private), Creative Learning Academy (private), Dixon School for Arts and Sciences (private), Dixon School of Arts and Sciences (private), Montessori School of Pensacola (private), East Hill Academy (private) and Pensacola Private School of Liberal Arts (private) are in town. Coastal Connections Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Pensacola’s grade
C−: better than 17% of Florida school districts, #569 of 638 Florida towns. Both inputs trail the Florida average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Pensacola, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Pensacola · depends on your address
Global Learning Academy
Grades PK–5 · 489 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Reinhardt Holm Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 480 students · 15:1 students per teacher
O. J. Semmes Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 344 students · 16:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Pensacola · depends on your address
J. H. Workman Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 602 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Cordova Park Elementary School
Grades K–6 · 596 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Pensacola
J. H. Workman Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 602 students · 17:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Pensacola
J. H. Workman Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 602 students · 17:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Pensacola · depends on your address
Washington Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,676 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Pensacola High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,221 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Pensacola · depends on your address
Washington Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,676 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Pensacola High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,221 students · 20:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Pensacola · depends on your address
Washington Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,676 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Pensacola High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,221 students · 20:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Pensacola · depends on your address
Washington Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,676 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Pensacola High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,221 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Pensacola’s public schools are run by Escambia County School District, which also serves Century. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Pensacola vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Florida towns that share Pensacola’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Pensacola | C− | Escambia County |
| Gulf Breeze | A− | Santa Rosa County |
Every school in Pensacola
23 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Florida’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Hospital & Homebound, Escambia SCH. Dist. Jail Prog. and Tap PK Babies).
Questions about Pensacola’s schools
Are Pensacola’s schools good?
On Florida’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Pensacola children attend score below 83% of Florida’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #569 of 638 Florida towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 10%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Pensacola in?
Escambia County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 36,768 students in 65 schools (2024–25).
Where do Pensacola kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Washington Senior High School and Pensacola High School.
What is Pensacola’s graduation rate?
81% of the class of 2023 in Escambia County School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida.
How much does Pensacola spend per student?
$12,721 in Escambia County School District (FY2024), against $13,006 across Florida. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Pensacola?
Yes: Hillcrest Private Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 1,677 students), Episcopal Day School of Christ Church Parish (religious, grades PK–8, 465 students), East Hill Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 424 students), St. Paul Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 351 students), Sacred Heart Cathedral School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 344 students), Creative Learning Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 307 students), Dixon School for Arts and Sciences (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 302 students), Dixon School of Arts and Sciences (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 271 students), Montessori School of Pensacola (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 158 students), East Hill Academy (special education, grades K–12, 90 students) and Pensacola Private School of Liberal Arts (nonsectarian, grades 9, 2 students).
Parents talk
What Pensacola families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Pensacola → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Florida. Stars are from neighbors.