Page 4 - Superintendent Annual Report 24-25

MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Dear Chair Brill, Board Members, Colleagues, and Community Stakeholders:

Guided by the mission to educate, affirm, and inspire each student in an equity-embedded school
system, the 2024-2025 school year was marked by strong academic results, notable achievements, and
expanded opportunities. From successes in our classrooms to our ongoing dedication to safety and
community engagement, our schools continue to show why the School District of Palm Beach County
is “Your Best Choice.”
Academic Excellence and Student Growth
Building on a foundation of continuous improvement, this year brought notable academic achieve-
ments across our District. We proudly earned our “A” rating from the Florida Department of Education
(FDOE). A significant number of our schools also achieved “A” and “B” designations, and 56 schools
received FDOE Schools of Excellence recognition, reflecting their commitment to academic rigor and student success.
In 2024-2025, we welcomed a new kindergarten class, the future Class of 2037. These students received kindergarten readiness kits
upon registration prior to the start of the school year. We also hosted a coordinated round of kindergarten kickoff events in the
spring to welcome our newest kindergarteners in August 2025.

The Class of 2024 achieved a remarkable graduation rate of 95.92% for District-operated schools, demonstrating sustained improve-
ment over the past three years. Collective efforts led to an 8% increase in third-grade reading proficiency, and our middle school
students continue to excel in Algebra 1. We are also proud to report greater access to rigorous coursework across all academic levels,
fostering an educational experience that challenges students and prepares them for post-secondary opportunities. Validating these
achievements, the Class of 2025 earned millions in scholarships, broadening their prospects for higher education. This year also
marked the graduation of the first class from our newest comprehensive high school, Dr. Joaquín García High School.

Our dedication to academic excellence is further shown as 79% of our SY25 seniors enrolled in at least one Advanced Placement,
International Baccalaureate, or Dual Enrollment course, with 32,222 high school students participating in at least one AICE course
and more than 57,860 AICE courses completed. We specifically highlight the significant increases in high school accelerated course
participation from SY22 to SY25, with a 15.6% rise among Black students, a 12.8% increase among Hispanic students, and an 11.2%
increase among White students.
Student-Focused Culture, Health, and Wellness
Our commitment to student success extends beyond academics by creating a safe and supportive learning environment. For the
ninth consecutive year, our District was recognized as one of the Best Communities for Music Education, highlighting our robust
performing arts programs. Through our Strategic Plan initiatives, we launched the Student Climate Coalition and the Trusted Adult
Initiative. Our ongoing safety accomplishments include having at least one School Police officer on every campus. We are further
enhancing campus safety by integrating an advanced school safety platform with GIS digital mapping technology, providing first
responders and school officials with access to detailed digital building layouts during emergencies, enabling quicker and more
coordinated responses.

The support of the Palm Beach County community has been highly instrumental in sustaining and expanding our progress. We
extend our gratitude to Palm Beach County voters, who continue to validate our work through the passage of the ½ Penny for
Schools. This vital funding will generate over $2 billion in the next decade, enabling the maintenance and enhancement of school
buildings, upgrading classroom technology and Technical Education Center/Choice program equipment, and acquiring new school
buses.
Our Strategic Plan has served as a clear guide for our efforts. We have completed four key initiatives, effectively integrating this work
into our daily practices and procedures. This report provides an overview of the substantial progress made across all initiatives. A
highlight of our technological advancements is the implementation of Khanmigo, the largest in the United States, reaching nearly
100,000 secondary students and all 13,000 teachers. This initiative is a core component of our broader Artificial Intelligence ini-
tiative, advancing innovative learning. Additionally, to better align our academic programming with our region’s workforce needs,
we conducted a thorough analysis of our choice and career pathways, the results of which now serve as a roadmap for enhancing
career-connected educational opportunities.

4 SUPERINTENDENT ANNUAL REPORT