Students at P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School in Gainesville exceeded statewide averages across almost every tested subject and grade level on the 2026 Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST), according to results released on Monday by the school.
FAST is given three times during each school year as a “progress monitoring assessment,” according to the Florida Department of Education (FDOE). The test includes Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) through grade 10 English Language Arts (ELA) reading and VPK through grade eight mathematics assessments.
P.K. Yonge, which is listed as UF Lab School in the FDOE 2026 results, reported proficiency rates well above the 2026 state average in ELA, mathematics, science and social studies.
According to a P.K. Yonge press release, 90% of third-grade students were proficient in ELA compared with the statewide average of 60%. Sixth graders weren’t far behind, with 91% reaching proficiency compared with 62% statewide. Meanwhile, 80% of 10th-grade students met proficiency compared with 61% statewide.
In mathematics, 93% of P.K. Yonge fourth graders were proficient on the FAST assessment compared with 65% statewide, according to the release. Fifth-grade proficiency, meanwhile, reached 83% compared with 62% statewide.
The release also notes that all sixth-grade P.K. Yonge students were proficient in the math FAST assessment compared with 60% statewide.
P.K. Yonge also highlighted the performances of its seventh and eighth-grade students. According to the release, 96% of seventh graders were proficient in math compared with 61% statewide. The school recognized that this is a notable achievement, given that all seventh graders took the Grade 8 FAST assessment.
As for eighth grade, 80% met proficiency in math compared with 63% statewide, according to the release. P.K. Yonge also spotlighted this performance, given that all eighth graders at the school take Algebra 1.
The results also show that P.K. Yonge’s seventh and eighth graders exceeded state averages in science and social studies. A breakdown is seen below.
- Eighth grade science: 77% (vs. 52% statewide)
- Biology: 92% (vs. 74% statewide)
- Seventh grade civics: 98% (vs. 77% statewide)
- U.S. History: 88% (vs. 74% statewide)
“At P.K. Yonge, we believe every student can achieve at high levels,” said Dr. Carrie Geiger, P.K. Yonge director, in the release. “As the University of Florida’s developmental research school, we are uniquely positioned to study, innovate, and continuously improve instructional practices while serving a student population that reflects the broader community. These results are evidence of what is possible when high expectations, research-informed teaching, and personalized support come together to help every student reach their full potential.”
School officials said the 2026 FAST assessment results reflect a continued upward trajectory for P. K. Yonge, with gains in multiple grade levels compared to 2025, underscoring the effectiveness of the school’s instructional strategies, individualized student support and focus on continuous improvement.
For a full breakdown of scores and comparisons, visit https://www.fldoe.org/accountability/assessments/k-12-student-assessment/results/2026.stml.