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A wooden award recognizing Northwest Elementary School for exceeding expectations in student achievement is displayed against a blue bulletin board adorned with a gold star and decorative trim.
2026 ECTAC Exceeding Expectations Award School

Northwest Elementary is proud to announce that we have been recognized as a 2026 ECTAC Exceeding Expectations Award School, one of only 35 elementary schools in Florida to earn this distinction.

Planning for Progress
District Planning for Progress

Pinellas County Schools hosted a series of community meetings across the district to share school-specific data and gather feedback on population and enrollment trends, facility planning and school utilization.

Awards

2026 ECTAC Exceeding Expectations Award School

June 2026

Northwest Elementary is proud to announce that we have been recognized as a 2026 ECTAC Exceeding Expectations Award School, one of only 35 elementary schools in Florida to earn this distinction.

The award was presented at the 2026 ECTAC Exceeding Expectations Conference in Orlando, Florida, where Northwest staff also led a breakout session to share the practices, systems, and collaborative work that have contributed to our students' success. It was an honor to represent Northwest and collaborate with educators from across the state who are committed to excellence in public education.

A woman and a man stand smiling in front of a black curtain adorned with gold stars, holding an award plaque and a glass trophy.

 

 

 

 

 

 


A Recognition Earned Through Excellence
The Exceeding Expectations Award recognizes schools that demonstrate exceptional performance across multiple measures of student achievement and school quality. This recognition represents far more than earning a top school grade. Schools must meet a rigorous set of criteria that narrows the field from 1,794 elementary schools in Florida to just 35 award recipients.

To qualify, schools must:
• Earn a 2025 School Grade of A or B
• Serve a student population with a poverty rate above the Florida state average of 68.8%
• Have no ESSA findings (ATSI, TSI, or CSI)
• Rank above the 50th percentile statewide in student achievement
• Rank above the 50th percentile statewide in learning gains
• Improve student achievement from the previous school year
• Maintain enrollment of more than 50 students at each tested grade level

These expectations create an exceptionally selective process, recognizing schools that achieve outstanding academic results, demonstrate continuous improvement, and serve communities with significant needs.

A Celebration of Our Northwest Community

This recognition belongs to our entire Northwest family. It reflects the dedication of our teachers and staff, the perseverance of our students, the support of our families, and the shared belief that every child can succeed.

Being named a 2026 ECTAC Exceeding Expectations Award School affirms the work taking place in every classroom each day and inspires us to continue building on this success. We are honored to receive this recognition and remain committed to helping every Northwest Star learn, grow, and shine.