Page 30 - Superintendent Annual Report 2023-24

Throughout the summer, teachers and administrators attended professional learning focused on developing PBL skills and
competencies. The principals and principal supervisors of network schools will engage in a PBL community of practice. This
platform is designed to increase collaboration among the participating schools and foster the growth of an inquiry-based
culture on each school campus. The community of practice for principals began gathering over the summer to develop a
collaborative community and create a vision for PBL on their campuses.

Scholastic eSports

The Vision for Scholastic eSports
Through Scholastic eSports, the District aims to engage students who otherwise
haven’t been involved in school activities. To achieve this, the District aligned
with the Network of Academic and Scholastic eSports Federations (NASEF)
and its Florida affiliate, the Sunshine State Esports League (SSEL). District
eSports teams also participated in professional national competitions with the
Electronic Gaming Federation (EGF).

Scholastic eSports: A Viable Career Path
The eSports and gaming industry offers a vast array of job opportunities, making
it a viable career path for our students. eSports revenue surpasses traditional
sports leagues like the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL combined, reaching five
times their collective market size. Scholastic eSports provides students with
the academic, technical, and social skills necessary to thrive in future STEM
and non-STEM postsecondary learning opportunities and careers. The
District’s Scholastic eSports program goes beyond just playing games; its goal
is to expose students to the entire eSports ecosystem (Figure 7). Colleges and
universities are increasingly creating eSports-related degree programs and
offering scholarships to talented students. In FY24, 45 schools were integrating
Scholastic eSports in their schools with 36 of those being secondary schools.
This is more than double the number of schools participating at the end of
FY23. Since 2022, District students have been awarded over $200,000 in eSports scholarships to various colleges nationwide.

Palm Beach Lakes Community High School Pioneering Choice Program
As of 2024, Palm Beach Lakes Community HS is the first in the District to offer a Choice program focused on scholastic
eSports. The Digital Media Technology - Scholastic eSports Program focuses on digital media, gaming development, and
entrepreneurship. Students can earn up to five industry certifications in this program. This year, the Rocket League Team
made it to the Electronic Gaming Federation National Finals in Orlando, Florida again.

SDPBC Students Shine at High School Smash Brothers Invitational
Students from Boynton Beach Community HS, Palm Beach Lakes Community HS, Royal Palm Beach Community HS, and
Spanish River Community HS participated in the 2024 High School Smash Brothers Invitational at the Fortress eSports
Arena on the Full Sail University campus in Orlando. One member of the Spanish River Community HS placed in the
top 8, while a senior from Palm Beach Lakes Community HS took second place out of 120 competitors, earning a $5,000
scholarship to Full Sail University.

30 Superintendent Annual Report 2023 - 2024