Montclair Elementary Earned A Rating in July

The Pensacola school climbed from an F grade to an A following a multi-year turnaround effort.

Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Primary Education

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Montclair Elementary School in Pensacola achieved an A rating from the Florida Department of Education in July, following a four-year turnaround. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Montclair Elementary School in Pensacola received an A rating from the Florida Department of Education in July 2026. This marks a significant improvement from the F rating the school received four years ago.

Why it matters

The dramatic grade increase reflects the impact of expanded tutoring access and heightened community involvement. Increased parental support and engagement in both academic and social spheres were key drivers behind the successful turnaround.

Montclair Elementary serves a student population of approximately 360 and employs 60 staff members. The school maintained these operational levels while implementing mandatory after-hours and Saturday tutoring programs.

The players

Montclair Elementary School

This Pensacola-based educational institution serves approximately 360 students and employs 60 staff members.

Elizabeth Greenberg

She has served as the principal of Montclair Elementary since 2023.

Florida Department of Education

This state government agency is responsible for evaluating school performance and issuing annual ratings for public schools.

The details

Principal Elizabeth Greenberg, who took over in 2023, helped steer the school toward this improved performance through targeted academic support. To celebrate the milestone, the community recently hosted a Panther Palooza event.

Timeline

  1. In 2022, Montclair Elementary School received an F rating.

  2. Elizabeth Greenberg was hired as principal in 2023.

  3. The Florida Department of Education released school ratings in July 2026.

  4. The school held a Panther Palooza celebration on September 26, 2026.

Culture Shift

The school's performance climb follows a pattern set by the Florida school grading system's A-through-F accountability model. This success marks a departure from the school's previous status as a low-performing campus under the state's oversight criteria.

The improved rating validates the efficacy of the after-hours and Saturday tutoring sessions available to local students. Parents and residents in Pensacola may see the school continue to leverage these successful engagement models in upcoming semesters.

The takeaway

The turnaround at Montclair Elementary demonstrates how sustained parental involvement can complement structured academic interventions. Families looking to replicate this success can prioritize consistent participation in school-sponsored engagement activities.

Further reading

Learn more about the latest updates in Primary Education in the Pensacola area.

Source note: This article includes information reported by WEAR.

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