Keith Leonard: Escambia Schools Build on Historic First “A”Ahead of the Aug. 12 start of school, Superintendent Keith Leonard tells how data tracking, pacing guides, and expanding K-8 models helped push Escambia County Public Schools to its first-ever district “A,” and what it will take to keep it. Escambia’s middle schools had the number one middle school acceleration rate in the state two years ago, and were number three this year. Well, we’re doing that with data, student data.” Expanding K-8 OptionsWest Pensacola, Cordova Park, and Longleaf elementary schools have added middle school grade levels, with sixth graders at those schools outperforming their peers at traditional middle schools, according to Leonard. Leonard noted the pressure isn’t unique to Escambia County, citing a report that Broward County has 50,000 empty seats districtwide.