WIMAUMA, Fla. – RCMA’s Wimauma Community Academy (WCA) has earned statewide recognition after its 8th grade scholars delivered one of Florida’s strongest performances on the Spring 2026 Florida Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Writing Assessment, demonstrating the school’s commitment to academic excellence and preparing students for future success.
Among all middle schools in Hillsborough County, WCA ranked second for the percentage of 8th grade scholars who earned a score of 7.0 or higher on the Spring 2026 B.E.S.T. Writing Assessment. An impressive 85 percent of WCA’s 8th graders were able to reach reached that mark. Notably, the top four performing schools in the district were all charter schools, highlighting the strong academic results charter schools are producing in Hillsborough County.
WCA also ranked 12th in Florida among schools that tested at least 10 students. The ranking places WCA among the state’s highest-performing schools on the Spring 2026 writing assessment.
The B.E.S.T. Writing Assessment measures students’ ability to think critically, organize ideas, support their arguments with evidence, and communicate clearly through writing. Students are evaluated using detailed scoring rubrics that measure both writing quality and analytical thinking—skills that are essential for success in high school, college, and future careers.
“This achievement reflects the hard work of our scholars, the dedication of our teachers, and the strong support of our families,” said WCA Principal Mark Haggett. “We are incredibly proud of our 8th grade class and especially Ms. Hill, whose passion and commitment helped our scholars reach this extraordinary level of success.”
For RCMA, the recognition is another example of how high expectations, outstanding educators, and strong family partnerships are helping students excel in rural communities.
“Strong writing skills open doors to lifelong learning and opportunity,” said Isabel Garcia, Executive Director of RCMA. “These results show that our scholars can compete with the very best in Florida. We congratulate our students, Ms. Hill, and the entire WCA team for this outstanding accomplishment and for demonstrating what is possible when students are challenged, supported, and inspired to succeed.”
The achievement continues RCMA’s tradition of academic excellence across its charter schools, reinforcing the organization’s belief that children in rural and underserved communities can achieve at the highest levels when they have access to exceptional teachers and high-quality educational opportunities.
Founded in 1965, RCMA is Florida’s largest nonprofit provider of early childhood education and a nationally recognized charter school operator. Serving nearly 4,300 children each year, RCMA prepares students from infancy through middle school with a strong educational foundation that helps them succeed in school and in life.
