Okaloosa County School District Graduation Rate Climbs to 91 Percent
The Okaloosa County School District is celebrating a significant rise in its graduation rate for the 2024–2025 school year, reaching 91 percent, up from 87.7 percent the previous year. The increase reflects both statewide gains and the district’s continued focus on helping students stay on track toward earning a high school diploma.
District leaders credit the improvement to strengthened student support systems, expanded academic pathways, and engagement strategies designed to meet students where they are.
“We are incredibly proud of our students and educators for this significant growth in Okaloosa County’s graduation rate,” Superintendent Marcus Chambers said. “Increasing from 87.7 percent to 91 percent in just one year reflects the hard work, perseverance, and commitment of our students, the dedication of our teachers and staff, and the strong partnerships we share with families and our community. While we celebrate this progress, we remain focused on ensuring every student graduates prepared for success beyond high school.”
The district plans to continue building on this momentum by expanding opportunities that support academic achievement, career readiness, and postsecondary success.
OCSD Partners to Host Free Kindergarten & VPK Registration Family Movie Afternoon
The Okaloosa County School District, in partnership with the Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation and the Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast, will host a FREE Kindergarten and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Registration Family Movie Afternoon on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, at Regal Cinemas Santa Rosa, 300 Mary Esther Blvd.
Designed to celebrate early learning milestones while helping families prepare for kindergarten, the event begins at 2 p.m. and is open to families with children enrolling in VPK or kindergarten.
“Our goal is to make the transition to kindergarten welcoming, supportive and engaging for families,” said Amy Dale, OCSD director of elementary curriculum.
The afternoon includes:
Complimentary movie tickets (maximum of three per household)
A children’s snack pack
On-site kindergarten and VPK registration assistance
Opportunities to connect with district staff and early learning partners
Families are encouraged to pre-register through Eventbrite, as seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1977924414167?aff=oddtdtcreator
Through Florida’s high-quality VPK standards, children across Okaloosa County are building strong foundations in early literacy, math and social-emotional learning. Parent permission and adult participation are required. Limited on-site registration will be available.
For more information, contact Amy Dale at DaleA@okaloosaschools.com or the Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast at communications@elc-ec.org.
Okaloosa Technical College Students Earn National Cybersecurity Recognition
Students from Okaloosa Technical College earned national recognition in December for their performance in the National Cyber League (NCL) Fall 2025 Competition Season, one of the nation’s premier cybersecurity competitions.
Powered by Cyber Skyline, the National Cyber League mirrors real-world cybersecurity tasks through individual and team-based challenges, helping students reinforce classroom learning, gain workforce-ready skills, and generate detailed skills reports for future employers.
Under the leadership of instructor Daniel Sligar, OTC students competed against more than 8,520 students from 490 colleges and universities nationwide, earning a No. 45 national ranking in the NCL Cyber Power Rankings.
OTC Director Jon Williams praised the accomplishment, noting that competing at a national level “is a testament to their commitment, teamwork, and readiness for careers in cybersecurity.”
Recognized students include Dylan Waters, Stephen Miner, Jordan Wenner-Foy, Grafton Lang, Ren Moore, Devin Barron, Steven Williamson, Dade Frigon and David Curd.
Superintendent Marcus Chambers said the recognition highlights the power of career and technical education to prepare students for high-demand, high-skill careers, adding that the district is “incredibly proud of their hard work and the leadership provided by Mr. Sligar.”
Dr. David Zeichick, commissioner of the National Cyber League, also commended the OTC team for their collaboration and commitment to excellence, citing both individual skill and professional growth.
