Dr. Julio Valle Jr., Chief Academic Officer, Volusia County Schools

07/01/2026

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of hosting our first round of coffee chats with principals and Dr. Julio Valle Jr., Chief Academic Officer, Volusia County Schools, bringing together school leaders from across the district for meaningful conversations centered on leadership, innovation, and the success of our students.

These informal gatherings provide an opportunity to listen, learn, share ideas, celebrate successes, and strengthen the partnerships that help move our district forward. We are grateful for the incredible dedication our principals demonstrate every day in service to our students, staff, and families.

A special thank you to Parva Colombian Bakery-Restaurant-Cafe for your outstanding hospitality and for providing such a warm and welcoming space for our conversation. Your team made everyone feel right at home.

We are also incredibly grateful to Addition Financial Credit Union for sponsoring the Coffee Chat and for your continued investment in public education and the communities we serve.

07/01/2026

For the second consecutive year, VCS has earned an “A” district rating from the Florida Department of Education — the first time in our district’s history we’ve achieved back-to-back “A” grades.

A few numbers that tell the story of sustained, intentional growth:

📈 66 percentage points and 797 total points — the highest in district history, up 9 percentage points from 57 in 2022
🏫 37 “A” schools this year, up from 29 last year
✅ 100% of traditional elementary, middle, and high schools rated proficient (A, B, or C)
🚫 Zero “D” or “F” schools, and no schools identified for turnaround — for the second year in a row
⬆️ 22 schools improved by at least one letter grade, 11 of them jumping to an “A”
🔑 Four years ago, less than 50% of our schools were “A” or “B” rated. Today, that number is 90%.

None of this happens by accident. It’s the result of our teachers and school leaders staying anchored to strong instruction and data-informed decision-making, our support staff keeping schools running safely and smoothly, our families reinforcing that work at home, and a School Board that has consistently backed this work.

Grateful to lead alongside a team this committed to closing achievement gaps and accelerating outcomes for every student we serve.

➡️IMPORTANT A-NNOUNCEMENT

We’re thrilled to share that, for the second year in a row, VCS is an “A” rated district!

This is the result of a true team effort.

Our students, teachers, staff, and families are the heart of this success, demonstrating every day what can be accomplished through hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence.

We're also grateful for the support of our School Board members, VCS Partners in Education, elected officials, community organizations, and volunteers who help strengthen our schools and support student achievement.

An accomplishment such as this takes an entire community working together, and that’s exactly what Volusia County does best.

Visit https://www.vcsedu.org/news/~board/district-news/post/volusia-county-schools-earns-back-to-back-a-district-grade for more details and a breakdown of school grades.

Dr. Carmen Balgobin, Superintendent Volusia County Schools
Dr. Julio Valle Jr., Chief Academic Officer, Volusia County Schools
Florida Department of Education
Heartland Educational Consortium
Panhandle Area Educational Consortium
NEFEC

04/03/2026

Had a great visit at River Springs MS with Principal Vaughan. I had the opportunity to visit several classrooms and saw phenomenal teachers and students engaged in meaningful learning.

One highlight was visiting their Ag farm, where students are gaining hands-on, real-world experiences that truly bring learning to life.

Proud of the great work happening at River Springs!

03/27/2026

03/26/2026

Congratulations to Lisa Gaboury, agricultural teacher and FFA advisor at Heritage Middle School, on being named the 2026 VCS CTE Teacher of the Year! 🎉

33+ years of shaping students' futures — that's a legacy worth celebrating. So proud to honor Ms. Gaboury and all of our outstanding CTE educators who prepare our kids for what's next. 👏

03/26/2026

03/26/2026

Congratulations to Enterprise Elementary School on receiving the Danny Gainin "School of Excellence" Award!

Principal Libby Johnson and her team have done incredible work — earning an 'A' school grade and the recognition to match. This is what excellence looks like!

Proud of our Enterprise family.

03/26/2026

Huge congratulations to Anderson Performance Heat and Air — our 2026 VCS Business Partner of the Year!

For over a decade, they've shown up for students and staff at Read-Pattillo Elementary like true family. That kind of commitment makes a real difference — and an 'A' school grade proves it.

Thank you for investing in our kids!