Superintendent Diane Kornege highlights Lake County Schools’ record graduation rate, new buildings and student credentials

Superintendent Diane Kornege told the Lake County Schools community that this school year ended with what she called "an incredible journey," highlighting the district’s top-performing results and student credentials as graduation ceremonies begin this week. "We learned over the summer that we were an A-rated district for the first time since 2008," Kornege said, and she noted that the district more than doubled its number of A-rated schools from the prior year.

Kornege said the district welcomed students into new buildings this year at Fruitland Park Elementary and the Mineola Horizon K-8. She reported a 96 percent graduation rate for district-operated schools — the highest in district history and above the statewide rate she cited as 92 percent. Kornege also announced that Roshanda Scott of East Ridge High School has been named Florida’s 2026 assistant principal of the year.

On student credentials, Kornege said 121 seniors will graduate with an associate degree from Lake Sumter State College alongside their high school diplomas, 75 students in the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (ACE) program met requirements for a certified ACE diploma, and 2,450 seniors will graduate with industry certifications. She said those accelerated learning opportunities "will give our graduates a competitive edge" for careers or further education.

Kornege closed by thanking students, parents, local businesses, volunteers, teachers, administrators and support staff for their roles in the year’s successes and urged the community to finish the year strong before summer break. She noted that graduation ceremonies are scheduled this week and that the district will observe Memorial Day before the summer recess.