Beyond the Letter Grade: What Hillsborough’s “A” Means for Students

This summer, Hillsborough County Public Schools celebrated a milestone more than a decade in the making: earning its first “A” district grade from the Florida Department of Education in more than 10 years.

That's certainly exciting news for the district, but if you're a parent, you might be wondering: What does that actually mean for my child?

The state's district grades are based on a combination of student achievement, learning gains, graduation rates and college and career readiness. This year's A reflects the hard work of students, teachers, administrators and staff across Hillsborough County.

For families, it's another sign that HCPS is providing strong opportunities and support for students at every stage — from early learning and literacy to Advanced Placement coursework and preparing students for success after graduation.

The state also assigns grades to individual schools, and this year, 127 of Hillsborough County's 214 graded traditional schools earned an A or B. Among them is Ballast Point Elementary, which once again earned an A.

We caught up with Principal Ann-Marie Russo to learn more about what goes into earning and maintaining that top grade, and what it means for the students, teachers and families who make up the Ballast Point community.

Ballast Point Elementary has once again earned an A grade. What did this moment mean to you personally, and what do you think it means for your students, teachers, and families?

Principal Ann-Marie Russo: Our teachers have gone above and beyond to meet the unique needs of every child, recognizing that each student learns differently and brings individual strengths and challenges to the classroom.

My assistant principal, Mrs. Gattullo, and I worked closely with teachers throughout the year to analyze student data, identify strengths and areas for growth, and develop targeted plans to ensure every student had the support they needed to succeed.

This achievement means more than a letter grade — it represents the growth, perseverance and accomplishments of our students.

Seeing 70% of our students score proficient on the end-of-year FAST assessments is a testament to their hard work and the strong partnership between our teachers, families and school community. We are grateful for everyone's efforts and proud of what we have accomplished together.

When you walk through your classrooms, what are the moments that make you stop and smile?

Principal Ann-Marie Russo: The moments that make me stop and smile are those priceless ‘aha' moments when a student suddenly makes a connection and their face lights up with excitement. But even more than that, I love when students eagerly want to share their learning — their ideas, their questions and even their mistakes.

Knowing our students feel comfortable enough to take risks, share their thinking and trust the adults around them to support and celebrate their growth is one of the reasons I became an educator.

An A grade reflects academic success, but you also focus on developing kind, confident and resilient students. How do you help children grow both inside and outside the classroom?

Principal Ann-Marie Russo: At Ballast Point, we believe education is about so much more than academics. We strive to provide opportunities for every child to explore their interests and build confidence beyond the classroom.

Our outstanding music teacher, Ms. Lidia Stokes, leads a variety of ensemble groups, including our primary and intermediate choruses, percussion group and rock band.

These students not only develop their musical talents but also have opportunities to perform at community events, learning the value of teamwork, dedication and sharing their gifts with others.

We are also proud to offer Anchored4Life, a peer-to-peer leadership program that helps students build resilience, confidence, character and meaningful connections with others.

As a principal, what fills you with the greatest sense of pride when you think about your teachers and staff and everything they do for students each day?

Principal Ann-Marie Russo: What fills me with the greatest sense of pride is the unwavering commitment our teachers and staff have to do whatever it takes to help students succeed.

Every day, I see educators who go far beyond their job descriptions because they genuinely care about the children they serve.

Whether it's arriving early to tutor students before school, staying late to provide extra support or finding creative ways to meet individual needs, their focus is always on what is best for students.

This commitment doesn't end when the school day does. Our staff members attend chorus performances, sporting events, celebrations and other activities because they want students to know they are supported both inside and outside the classroom.

They build relationships that extend far beyond academics and create a sense of belonging that students carry with them long after they leave our school.

One example that perfectly captures this spirit is a student who is moving to Italy. Rather than simply saying goodbye, our staff has committed to sending letters and postcards so we can stay connected and follow along with the student’s new adventures.

That willingness to maintain relationships — even across continents — speaks volumes about the heart of our school community.

Presented By: Hillsborough County Public Schools | Photo Credit: Kellie Hero | *Originally published in the August 2026 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.

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