The Okaloosa County School District announced on Friday that it is one of 38 School Systems in the world to be named a Cognia System of Distinction for 2022.

During the 2021-2022 school year, Cognia conducted approximately 1,500 school engagement reviews for accreditation. This year, 96 schools and 38 systems in 34 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and nine countries are recognized.

• The number of institutions reviewed and those that earn this designation vary from year to year. Winners carry the designation for one year.

The recognition, which highlights excellence in education, is based on the results of the rigorous accreditation process Cognia administered in the Okaloosa School District in February 2022. 

“Okaloosa County School District employees dedicate themselves to the education and safety of the students we serve,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “We are honored to receive this designation and owe it all to the hard work our teachers, administrators, and staff put in each day to ensure our students receive the best education possible.”

The accreditation process is intense and takes place over several days, according to the school district. Cognia’s accreditation rubric consists of three categories: Leadership Capacity, Learning Capacity, and Resource Capacity. 

• The District scored “Impacting,” which is the highest possible rating, in 29 out of 31 indicators. Okaloosa County was joined by four other Florida school districts among the 38 systems recognized worldwide: Collier, Pasco, Volusia, and neighboring Walton County School Districts.

During the accreditation process, Cognia conducts interviews with various stakeholders, including parents, students, district staff, school board members, and administrators, to gain insight into a school district. 

“We did extremely well on this accreditation and will use the feedback we received to continue to build the Next Generation of Okaloosa Schools,” said Chambers. “Across the District, we are focused on cultivating and improving leadership effectiveness while strengthening a student-focused classroom by promoting instructional practices aligned to the new BEST Standards. We are proud of everyone in the OCSD Family!”