Okaloosa County VPK program receives top marks for preparing young students for kindergarten
Okaloosa County, Florida – A strong start in school begins long before a child walks into a kindergarten classroom. In Okaloosa County, one early-learning program has now earned top marks for the work happening during those important first years.
Southside Primary School received an “Excellent” rating in Florida’s 2025–2026 Summer Voluntary Prekindergarten Program Accountability results, giving the Okaloosa County School District another reason to highlight its focus on kindergarten readiness and early childhood education.
The results, released by the Florida Department of Education, evaluate the quality of VPK programs and student outcomes. The accountability system is designed to measure whether young children are receiving meaningful educational experiences that help prepare them for the transition into kindergarten.
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For OCSD, Southside Primary School’s rating reflects the work taking place inside classrooms where students are developing early academic abilities alongside social skills, confidence and curiosity.
“Early learning plays an important role in preparing our students for success, and this rating reflects the commitment of our VPK teachers and staff to helping our youngest learners build the skills and confidence they need for kindergarten,” Superintendent Marcus Chambers said.
“We are proud of the work taking place in our classrooms and appreciate the partnership of our families in supporting their children’s educational journey.”
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District officials emphasized that effective prekindergarten education goes beyond introducing basic academic concepts. The learning environment, teaching approach and opportunities children receive to explore and interact all play a role in their development.
Amy Dale, OCSD Director of Elementary Curriculum, said the recognition shows why intentional instruction and developmentally appropriate experiences matter at such an early age.
“This rating highlights the importance of providing engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that help children grow academically and socially,” Dale said. “Our VPK educators work every day to build foundational skills, encourage curiosity, and foster a love of learning. We are proud to celebrate their efforts and the progress of our youngest students.”
At Southside Primary School, Principal Amy Bowles also credited the school’s educators and families for creating an environment focused on preparing children for the next stage of their education.
“We are honored to receive this recognition and proud of the work our VPK team does each day to prepare our students for kindergarten,” Bowles said.
“Our teachers create welcoming, engaging classrooms where children can build confidence, develop essential skills, and discover a love of learning. This achievement reflects the dedication of our staff and the partnership we share with our families in supporting every child’s success.”
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The “Excellent” rating gives OCSD a measurable sign of how its early-learning efforts are performing, but district leaders are placing the larger emphasis on what those results mean for students.
For the children participating in VPK, the goal remains straightforward: enter kindergarten with stronger skills, greater confidence and a foundation that can support learning well beyond their first year of school.
