Pinellas County Schools earned its third consecutive 'A' district rating from the Florida Department of Education . This benchmark that covers every campus in the system, including Clearwater High School and Countryside High School.

State assessment data released Sunday, June 29, showed district students outperformed statewide averages in every tested subject area, according to district summaries posted to the Pinellas County Schools newsroom.

The district also announced Sunday, July 13, that Largo High School's Chloe H. Schmidt won a National Merit University of Florida Scholarship. The college-sponsored award goes to National Merit finalists selected by the university. Schmidt's honor caps a string of summer recognitions for district students and staff, including first-place finishes at the 2026 FBLA National Leadership Conference and East Lake High School girls' lacrosse Coach Mo Asif being named a USA Lacrosse High School Girls Coach of the Year.

Enrollment pressures persist

The 'A' streak comes as the district contends with shrinking enrollment. District data presented at a January 20 school board workshop showed only 68% of kindergarten-age children enrolled in 2025-26, down from 87% in 2015-16. Superintendent Kevin Hendrick framed the tension at that same workshop: "The academic excellence across Pinellas County Schools continues as an 'A' district, but we also face a declining school-age population and changing conditions that require us to thoughtfully plan for the future."

The board voted in February 2026 to close Cross Bayou Elementary in Pinellas Park and Disston Academy in Gulfport at the end of the 2025-26 school year. No Clearwater schools were among those closed, but district officials have said the same enrollment pressures apply countywide through the ongoing "Planning for Progress" initiative.

Back-to-school details

The first day of school for 2026-27 is Tuesday, August 11, according to the district's official back-to-school guide. The guide covers immunization requirements, school supply lists, and a new electrocardiogram (ECG) screening requirement for student athletes under Florida's Second Chance Act.

Families with enrollment or assignment questions can contact the Student Assignment office at 301 Fourth St. SW, Largo, by email at [email protected], or by phone at 727-588-6210.