The number of Florida high schools that earned an A or B grade dropped by 12 percentage points in 2014, according to the state's preliminary A–F grades released Thursday, but officials noted Florida's high-school graduation rate was at an 11-year high.

Just over 71 percent of Florida's 520 high schools were graded A or B this year, compared to 83 percent in 2013.

The Florida Department of Education noted the grading scale was adjusted upward. Because more than 75 percent of schools last year earned a grade of B or above, the number of points needed to earn a certain grade increased this year.

Education Commissioner Pam Stewart said the statewide graduation rate of 76.1 percent was 0.5 percent increase over 2013 and nearly 17 percentage points higher than a decade ago.

"I am confident that our state's educators will continue providing a high quality education that builds on the progress we have made," said Stewart. "As always, there is room for improvement. We will continue working closely with all of our school districts to provide the support necessary to ensure Florida students have access to the best education."

In Central Florida's nine-county region, 35 schools earned A grades, down from 47 last year. A total of 32 schools in the area went down a grade from 2013.

More schools in Central Florida earned A or B grades than those graded C or lower. Seven schools in the area improved from last year:

  • Orange County: Dr. Phillips and University High School both improved from a B to an A, and Colonial High School went up from a C to a B.
  • Brevard County: Eau Gallie High School improved from a B to an A.
  • Lake County: Lake Minneola High School improved from a B to a A.
  • Marion County: North Marion High School improved from a C to a B.
  • Seminole County: Winter Springs High School improved from a B to a A.

All but one A-rated Seminole County school last year maintained its top rating in 2014. Hagerty High School dropped to a B.

In Sumter County, The Villages Charter School maintained its A rating, while Wildwood Middle-High School fell from a C to a D. Sumter's graduation rate also rose nearly 5 percentage points to 83.4 percent.

Volusia County high schools all earned B or C ratings. Seabreeze High School, which fell from an A to a B, was one of four schools that dropped a letter grade.

Only one high school in Central Florida received an F grade: Acclaim Academy charter school in Osceola County, which also earned a failing grade last year.