Education is one of the most divisive and hottest topics right now in the United States, including here in Southwest Florida.
When making a decision on where to live, with a growing family, education is at the top of the checklist for most families. While athletics and social opportunities are of importance, academics obviously should be top of mind.
Florida School Districts
The folks over at Niche put together a list of the top ranked school districts in every state. In the state of Florida there are 73 school districts. There are over 160,000 full time teachers and over 3.2 million school aged students currently enrolled in the public school system.
Methodology
The Best School Districts ranking is based on rigorous analysis of academic and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education along with test scores, college data, and ratings collected from millions of Niche users. Theses even key factors listed below determine the rankings. You can read more about how the rankings are determined here.
- Academics Grade
- Teachers Grade
- Culture & Diversity Grade
- Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience
- Resources & Facilities Grade
- Clubs & Activities Grade
- Sports Grade
The Top 10 Ranked Florida School Districts
- Sarasota County Schools (Sarasota) - A
- St. Johns County School District (St. Augustine) - A
- Seminole County Public School (Sanford) - A
- Okaloosa County School District (Fort Walton Beach) - A
- Collier County Public Schools (Naples) - A
- Clay County School District (Green Cove Springs) - A-
- Martin County School District (Stuart) - A-
- Lafayette School District (May0) - A-
- Alachua Public Schools (Gainesville) - A-
- Walton County School District (Defuniak Springs) - A-
Charlotte County School District is ranked #12 with a grade of A-. Lee County School District came in at #33 with a grade of B+. To see how the remaining districts in Florida ranked, click here.
School is in full swing for the 2023-2024 school year, and so is the football season, the Greek life and the college partying. Which schools are the top party schools in Florida?
Of course the parents of freshman who were just dropped off a few weeks ago are cringing as they read this. No doubt hoping that as they scroll they won't see their child's school listed as one of the top party schools in Florida.
The folks over at Niche recently released this year's list of 2023 - 2024 party schools in the Sunshine State.
Methodology
The Top Party Schools ranking is based on student reviews and nightlife statistics. There are five factors that are considered when making the list.
Student opinions obviously go a long way with these rankings. I mean, 70% of the grades coming from student surveys?! Wow, that's basically the deciding factor here.
Seemingly absent from the top of the list are a few larger universities from the southern part of the state, including FGCU (#17). I was surprised not to see the University of South Florida (#12) in Tampa and Florida Atlantic University (#16) over in Boca Raton, too.
With that said, there were a few surprises at the top of the list. Several smaller schools have cracked into the top 10 on this year's list of party schools in Florida.
#10. Florida International University
Florida International University is located in Miami, so this doesn't come as a surprise with all that Miami has to offer.
Party School Grade: A-
#9. Rollins College
Rollins College is one of the smaller schools to top the list. Located in Winter Park, less than 30 minutes from the University of Central Florida, Rollins College students can take advantage of the big university town perks, without the size of the school
Party School Grade: A
#8. Eckerd College
Another school on the smaller side, out of St. Petersburg, FL. Again, plenty to do in the St. Pete/Tampa area with a small school feel.
Party School Grade: A
#7. University of Central Florida
University of Central Florida is located on the outskirts of Orlando, which is of course home to one of the states best football teams, making game days a huge party on and off campus.
Party School Grade: A
#6. University of Tampa
Location here is obvious. One student said, "My experience at the University of Tampa has been amazing! The campus in basically in the middle of downtown Tampa is a growing and developing city that offers so many things to do."
Party School Grade: A-
#5. Bethune-Cookman University
Located in Daytona Beach. Enough said.
Party School Grade: A+
#4. University of Florida
University of Florida is the heart of Gainesville. Academics and athletics are outstanding at UF, and apparently so is the social scene. Recently named best Public University in the US.
Party School Grade: A+
#3. University of Miami
It's all in the name. Minutes from some of the best nightlife in the country, the beaches are stunning and the weather allows for year round outdoor partying. Academics and athletics at UM are also outstanding.
Party School Grade: A+
#2. Florida A&M University
#1 and #2 party schools are located less than 3 miles apart, which probably means they're sharing the party scene up in Tallahassee.
Party School Grade: A+
#1. Florida State University
The Florida State University is off to a great 2023-24 season. The Noles football team is looking good this year, ranked at #3 in the AP poll, giving the students plenty to get excited about. Tallahassee is a college town through and through. And with #2 party school FAMU just 3 miles away, two schools are better than one.
Party School Grade: A+
