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2 Duval County middle schools facing charter change receive 'D' grades

Grades are in for Florida public schools, and two of the three Duval County middle schools threatened by a recently signed education bill received failing grades.

Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a controversial education bill on June 16 to funnel money toward privately funded charter schools and put lower-performing schools in jeopardy based on their yearly school grades.

Matthew Gilbert and Northwestern Middle school received a 'D' for the 2016-2017 school year, according to a Florida Department of Education report.

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Ribault Middle School missed the same fate with a passing 'C' grade.

According to the new Florida law, schools that receive a grade of 'D' or 'F' will be shutdown and a charter school operator will take them over.

A list of all school grades can be seen here.

Leaders with Duval County Public Schools said they are happy with where they stand. The school district is at a 'B' overall for the third year in a row.

DCPS said it has 13 more 'A' schools with a total of 41 in the district.

It said 89 percent of schools scored A, B or C averages and the number of 'D' schools decreased 61 percent. There are 13 D schools in the district.

School leaders said there are still some concerns.

Ramona Boulevard Elementary scored an 'F' but was the only traditional school to do so.

As for Matthew Gilbert and Northwestern ,iddle schools, Duval County Interim Superintendent Patricia Willis said she is confident about their fate.

“They won't be charter schools next year," she said. "They are still our traditional public schools."