The milestone was the result of teamwork, consistency and commitment to student achievement.
For the first time in more than 10 years, Burney Elementary School has earned a “B” grade from the Florida Department of Education, a major milestone that school leaders say is the result of teamwork, consistency, and a relentless commitment to student growth.
Burney’s improved performance reflects steady progress over several years, said Principal Brooke Quinlan. “We’ve been building toward this for a long time.”
Now entering her sixth year as principal, Quinlan attributes much of the school’s success to her leadership team and an “all hands on deck” approach to intervention. When data showed some students were struggling in certain subjects, staff members didn’t wait to act— they dove in.
Students were pulled for additional small group instruction based on their academic needs—some were performing below grade level, while others were high achievers working to maintain their Level 4 or 5 scores.
“We pulled lists of kids who weren’t on track. Everyone got involved,” she said. “Our assistant principal taught groups, our reading and math coaches taught, and I taught. One of the things we say all the time is ‘Everyone teaches.’ Whether you’re a coach or an admin, if you’re instructional, you’re teaching kids.”
The school also maintained a sharp focus on data. “All year long, we tracked progress- little data points showing how each student was working toward their goals,” said Quinlan. “Our kids care about their progress. They ask to see their scores, they vote on their rewards, and they hold themselves accountable.”
At Burney, incentives play a role in keeping students motivated. Students who meet their academic goals in reading, math and science (for 5th grade students) enjoy the perks—ranging from sno-cone and ice cream socials for primary grades to movie and device days for upper grades. The ultimate celebration was a “Splash Bash,” where students who reach their goals in all subjects were awarded VIP access to a field day and a chance to dunk school leaders, including the principal and assistant principal, with a bucket of water.
This year, those rewards were made possible by a grant from Suncoast Credit Union. “We don’t get a separate budget for those incentives, and if Suncoast hadn’t stepped in, we would’ve had to come up with other ideas.”
Another critical piece of the puzzle is Burney’s after-school and Saturday school programs. Targeted students are invited to after-school tutoring, while Saturday school is open to all. “Our kids want to be here,” said Quinlan. “They’d rather come in on a Saturday to learn than stay home watching TV. That says a lot about our culture.”
Burney Elementary’s climb to a “B” is more than a letter grade— it’s a testament to the power of teamwork, data-informed instruction, and a school community that believes every child can succeed.
“We’re not done yet,” said Quinlan. “This is just the beginning.”
