Morikami Park Elementary in Delray Beach ranked fifth in Florida among elementary schools in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report rankings, the top showing for the School District of Palm Beach County. The district said 12 of its schools, six elementary and six middle schools, made the state’s top 100 public K-8 list.
Bak Middle School of the Arts placed seventh on the middle school list. The district said the rankings weigh math proficiency, math performance, reading proficiency and reading performance equally, at 25% each.
Superintendent Mike Burke credited teachers, school leaders, staff, students and families for the results. The 12 schools join five district high schools that U.S. News placed in Florida’s top 100 in August.
The Florida Department of Education again named the district “Academically High-Performing,” one of only 18 districts statewide with that label. The state also recognized 45 county schools as “Schools of Excellence.”
Families can apply to their neighborhood school, to any district school with open seats, or to more than 330 choice programs. Details are at PalmBeachSchools.org/Enroll or by calling 561-434-8197.
The district also pointed to the 1 Mill for Schools, which funds an average $8,000 annual raise for teachers and 900 teaching positions. Voters approved the measure in 2018 and renewed it in 2022, and a renewal question is on the 2026 general election ballot.
