Quality of Life: Bloom Academy Earns Top VPK Honors
August 19th, 2026
Here’s some good news for Charlotte County families.
Four programs. Four Excellent ratings.
And for parents trying to figure out where their little ones will learn, grow and spend a big part of their day, that’s news worth knowing.
Four Local VPK Programs Earn Florida’s Top Rating
The Florida Department of Education evaluates VPK providers each year using three measures: program quality, student achievement and student learning gains. The 2025-2026 results were released Aug. 14.
Bloom Academy’s Charlotte County programs receiving the Excellent designation are:
- Cypress Commons
- East Town
- Harborside
- Punta Gorda
Bloom Academy shared the news with Charlotte County Economic Development, giving credit to the teachers and staff behind the results.
That part deserves some attention too. Behind every performance measure are teachers showing up every morning, classrooms full of very energetic four-year-olds and a whole lot of learning happening one small step at a time.
What Does an Excellent VPK Rating Mean?
Florida’s VPK accountability system is designed to give families more information about how participating providers are performing. The state considers instructional quality, how children are achieving and the learning gains they make during the program year.
Excellent sits at the top of Florida’s five performance designations.
Statewide, 39% of providers received an Excellent designation for the 2025-2026 school year. Another 32% were rated Above Expectations and 19% Met Expectations.
So when every one of Bloom Academy’s established Charlotte County VPK programs lands in the top category, that is a pretty nice accomplishment.
More importantly, it gives families something concrete to consider when they are comparing local early-learning options.
Quality of Life Starts With Families
We talk a lot about quality of life in Charlotte County. Usually, that brings to mind sunshine, boating, parks, beaches and weekends outside.
But ask a parent what makes a community a good place to live and the answer gets practical fast.
Where will my kids go to school? Can I find good child care? Are there programs I feel comfortable with? Will my family be happy here?
Those everyday questions matter.
For families already living here, strong local early-learning options are part of what makes Charlotte County home. For someone thinking about moving here, they can make the community easier to picture as home.
And that is really what quality of life looks like. It isn’t one big thing. It is dozens of little things that make daily life work.
Good News Worth Celebrating
Bloom Academy’s VPK results are first and foremost a win for its children, families, teachers and staff.
They are also the kind of local news we like to see.
Kids are learning. Teachers are being recognized for good work. Parents have more information when choosing a program. And four Charlotte County locations can now say they earned Florida’s highest VPK performance designation.
Sometimes the good news really is that simple.
Congratulations to the Bloom Academy teams at Cypress Commons, East Town, Harborside and Punta Gorda.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is VPK?
VPK stands for Voluntary Prekindergarten, Florida’s early-learning program designed to help prepare children for kindergarten.
Which Bloom Academy locations earned Excellent ratings?
Cypress Commons, East Town, Harborside and Punta Gorda.
Is Excellent the highest VPK designation?
Yes. Excellent is the top designation in Florida’s VPK provider performance system.
What does Florida measure?
Program quality, student achievement and student learning gains.
Are the ratings issued by Bloom Academy?
No. The performance metrics and designations are calculated and published by the Florida Department of Education.
Where can families see Florida’s VPK information?
The Florida Department of Education publishes VPK accountability information and annual provider results online.
Sources
Florida Department of Education, VPK Program Accountability
https://www.fldoe.org/schools/early-learning/vpk-accountability.stml
Florida Department of Education, 2025-2026 School Year VPK Program Accountability
https://www.fldoe.org/file/20781/Memo-2025-2026-School-Year-VPK-Accountability-FINAL.pdf
Bloom Academy
https://bloomacademypreschool.com/
