Three Amelia Island schools earned Florida's School of Excellence designation on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Fernandina Beach High School, Fernandina Beach Middle School and Emma Love Hardee Elementary School are among ten Nassau County campuses that received the honor from the Florida State Board of Education.

The designation, approved as a consent item on the state board's Oct. 14 agenda, goes to schools that score in the 80th percentile or higher among schools in the same grade grouping for at least two of the past three school years. It is not a one-year snapshot. Schools must show sustained performance to qualify.

For families at those three Amelia Island schools, the label carries practical consequences. Under Section 1003.631 of Florida law, Schools of Excellence gain administrative flexibilities, including exemption from minimum daily reading-instruction requirements, principal autonomy provisions, the ability to set their own school-day start and end times, and class size compliance calculated at the school level rather than by individual classroom.

Teachers benefit too.

Instructional staff at a School of Excellence may substitute one year of employment at the school for 20 in-service points, up to 60 points in a five-year cycle, toward renewing a professional certificate.

The Nassau County School District announced all ten honorees:

  • Bryceville Elementary School
  • Callahan Intermediate School
  • Callahan Middle School
  • Emma Love Hardee Elementary School
  • Fernandina Beach High School
  • Fernandina Beach Middle School
  • Hilliard Elementary School
  • Hilliard Middle-Senior High School
  • Yulee Elementary School
  • Yulee Middle School

The honors build on a strong year for the district. In July, Nassau County earned an "A" district grade and ranked No. 2 among Florida's 67 school districts, according to Florida Department of Education accountability reports. All four Fernandina Beach schools, including Southside Elementary, received "A" grades.

Superintendent Kathy Burns, commenting on the district's "A" grade in July, said the results reflected daily work in every classroom across Nassau County and reaffirmed the district's commitment to providing every student with a strong education.

Fernandina Beach High School is led by Principal Christopher Webber. Dr. Anna Crawford serves as principal of Fernandina Beach Middle School, and Rebecca Smith leads Emma Love Hardee Elementary, according to the district's 2026-27 leadership roster.