Three FSU lab schools designated as Schools of Excellence

All three developmental research laboratory schools from the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (Anne’s College) were designated as 2025-26 Schools of Excellence by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE).  

Florida State University Schools (FSUS), The Collegiate School at FSU Panama City (TCS) and FSU Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary School each earned the distinct honor. The State Board designates a school as a School of Excellence if the school’s percentage earned in its annual grade scores in the top 20% of their respective grade groupings for at least two of the past three school years. 

“Our laboratory schools continue to demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, reflecting the dedication of their faculty and staff, the achievements of their students and the support of their families,” said Damon Andrew, dean of Anne’s College. “Beyond providing an outstanding education, these schools serve as important centers for research and innovation, generating insights that strengthen teaching and learning across Florida and the nation. We are incredibly proud of their continued success and impact.” 

“Our laboratory schools continue to demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, reflecting the dedication of their faculty and staff, the achievements of their students and the support of their families.”

– Damon Andrew, dean of Anne’s College

Since 2000, FSUS has earned an ‘A’ grade every year from the FDOE. The comprehensive K-12 laboratory school blends academics with a commitment to education research and innovation, featuring a high graduation rate while consistently ranking among Florida’s top schools for mathematics, science and language arts. 

TCS is a tuition-free charter lab school with dual enrollment, career-focused training and a collegiate school culture. It has earned an ‘A’ from the FDOE for three consecutive years, with its 91% rate for passing scores being the highest in Bay County for English, algebra I, geometry and biology. 

In South Florida, FSU Pembroke Pines earned an ‘A’ grade for the 2025-26 school year, continuing a record of academic excellence spanning more than two decades. The K-5 school, established in 2003, has held the School of Excellence designation for eight consecutive years. Its programs include a STEM lab, art and music. The school also hosts the Center for Children with Autism, a specialized multi-grade level program designed to support students’ academic and social development. 

Schools that initially qualify for the designation retain being a School of Excellence for up to three years, at the end of which they may renew the designation. The 2025-26 academic year included 768 schools named as Schools of Excellence across 51 local educational agencies. 

FSU’s laboratory schools are designed to provide world-class education to students while providing researchers an opportunity to advance the science of teaching and learning. Stretching from the Panhandle to South Florida, these schools serve a wide range of students coming from military families, low-income, urban and rural households. 

As an administrative sponsor, Anne’s College provides all three lab schools with cutting-edge research, a strong pipeline of educators, professional development, teacher training, shared academic programs and university pathways. 

For more information about Anne’s College, visit the college’s website.