SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Yamelie Gonzalez, Communications Manager
352.671.7542 w ◊ 352.246.2278 c
[email protected]
REDDICK-COLLIER EARNS HIGHEST VPK SCORE IN FLORIDA
100% of Local Schools Meet or Exceed State Expectations
MARION COUNTY – Marion County Public Schools is celebrating an historic achievement in early learning: Reddick-Collier Elementary earned the highest rating of any public school Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) provider in the state of Florida.
With an impressive score of 99, Reddick-Collier outperformed every other public-school program in the state, the next closest scoring 90%. While six private centers in Florida achieved perfect scores, Reddick-Collier stands alone at the top among all public schools statewide.
This recognition comes as part of Florida’s new VPK Provider Performance Metrics and Designations, the first year of the statewide accountability system for early learning providers. Across the state, 6,095 VPK programs were evaluated, with 88% meeting or exceeding expectations.
Locally, Marion County Public Schools also excelled overall, with 100% of its VPK providers meeting or exceeding expectations for the 2024–2025 program year. Among the 64 counties in Florida that offer VPK in public schools, Marion County ranked 16th .
MCPS collective school designations for VPK programs in the 2024–2025 school year include:
- Excellent – 65% (20 providers)
- Above Expectation – 16% (5 providers)
- Meets Expectation – 19% (6 providers)
- Below Expectation – 0%
- Unsatisfactory – 0%
- Incomplete – 0%
The Early Learning Department manages VPK programs districtwide to ensure Marion County’s youngest learners are prepared for lifelong success.
For more information, contact the Public Relations Office at 352.671.7555.
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