Redefining Schools for a New Era

  • Redefining

    Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is changing to better serve its students and community. Factors such as under-enrollment, population changes, and increased competition require the District to think differently about how and where it operates schools. As school districts across the nation face similar challenges, we commit to making the District more innovative and responsive to changing educational needs.

    Redefining BCPS will involve community input, data analysis, and creative thinking. Strategies may include adding new programs, combining schools, boundary adjustments, school closures, and repurposing schools to expand community services. There will be many opportunities for the community to provide input throughout the planning process.

    Join BCPS on this transformation to positively impact schools and the greater community.

Initiative Update

  • At the May 20, 2025 School Board Workshop, the Redefining Our Schools initiative continued its momentum with a presentation from District staff highlighting:

    • Progress on Phase 1 implementation

    • A preview of the Phase 2 priorities, launching Summer 2025

    Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn and the School Board reaffirmed their commitment to transparency, inclusion, and excellence.
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  • Phase 1 Recap

    Effective July 1, 2025, the following schools will expand their offerings to better serve our communities:

    • Broward Estates Early Learning & Resource Center

    • Coconut Creek K–8 Academy of Excellence

    • Coral Cove Academy of the Arts K–8

    • Hollywood Central Preparatory K–8

    • Silver Shores STEAM Academy K–8

    • Pines 6–12 Collegiate Academy

    Now accepting applications for the 2025–2026 school year.

  • Phase 2 Priorities

    BCPS is committed to ongoing community collaboration as we explore the next phase of transformation. Key areas of focus include:

    • School Consolidations

    • School Feeder Pattern Studies

    • Magnet Program Redesign

    • Regional Gifted and Dual Language Programs

    • Expansion of Technical Colleges

    • District-Managed Charter Schools

    • Public–Private Partnerships

    • Community-Based Programming

    • Fee-Based Childcare for Employees

    • Student Transportation Modernization

    • Alignment with Municipal Planning Areas

  • Upcoming School Board Meetings

    • June 10, 2025 – School Board Workshop

    • June 17, 2025 – Regular School Board Meeting

    • June 24, 2025 – School Board Workshop

If you are having trouble viewing the document, you may download the document.
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  • School Proposal Considerations for 2024/25

    Pursuant to the direction given by the School Board to the Superintendent at the October 8, 2024, and November 6, 2024, School Board Workshops, the proposals listed below are being considered in the 2024-2025 Redefining Broward Schools process. All final actions taken by the School Board are effective for the 2025-2026 school year.

    • Broward Estates Elementary and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Montessori Academy: Consolidate Broward Estates Elementary into Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a K-5 school; create an Early Learning Center at Broward Estates Map | FAQs
    • Coconut Creek Elementary: Reconfigure as a K-8 school Map | FAQs
    • Coral Cove Elementary: Reconfigure as a K-8 schools Map | FAQs
    • Silver Lakes Elementary, Silver Shores Elementary, and Silver Palms Elementary: Consolidate Silver Shores Elementary into Silver Lakes Elementary and Silver Palms Elementary; create a full choice (non-boundary) K-5 or K-8 (TBD) school at Silver Shores Elementary Map | FAQs
    • Hollywood Central Elementary: Reconfigure as a K-8 school Map | FAQs
    • Pines Middle: Reconfigure as a 6-12 school Map | FAQs

    The middle schools listed below are being invited to participate in the conversations as they may be impacted by any reconfiguration of their feeder elementary school grade expansions.

    • Lyons Creek Middle and Margate Middle regarding the proposed K-8 at Coconut Creek Elementary
    • Olsen Middle regarding the proposed K-8 at Hollywood Central Elementary
    • Glades Middle and New Renaissance Middle regarding the proposed K-8 at Coral Cove Elementary
    • Glades Middle regarding the proposed K-8 at Silver Shores Elementary

  • Previous Community Conversations and Town Hall Meetings

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  • School Board Workshops and Meetings

    Redefining our Schools is a priority for the School Board of Broward County, FL. The Board has directed staff to evaluate the need and engage the community in developing recommendations.

    See the tentative Board meeting schedule below, which is subject to change.

  • School Board Workshops

    School Board Workshops are non-voting meetings where the Board discusses education matters. Members of the public are encouraged to provide input virtually or in-person to inform the Board’s discussion.

  • School Board Meeting

    The Board will review and vote on the Redefining our Schools proposal at a June School Board Meeting (date to be determined).

    • Tuesday, April 16, 2024 – Redefining our Schools Update (Presentation)
    • Tuesday, October 15, 2024 – Redefining our School Resolution (Resolution RR-1)
    • Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - SBBC approved six Redefining Our School Proposals (2024-2025 Proposals)

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  • Why now?

    Broward County Public Schools is under-enrolled by nearly 50,000 students (including centers but excluding portables), this number signifies the amount of vacant seats relative to the District's permanent capacity, with future enrollment expected to further decline. Simply put, the District is operating more schools than it has students to fill. This creates a resource drain that negatively impacts students attending under-enrolled schools. Redefining our Schools is about ensuring schools are properly resourced to provide high-quality instruction and enrichment for every student in every classroom across the District.

  • What types of changes will be considered?

    School districts across the country are using a range of strategies to address declining enrollment. The approaches listed below are some common strategies. Broward County Public Schools will research the applicability of these options along with other ways to better serve students and the community.

    • Combining schools: Merge two under-enrolled schools to provide better instructional resources. Examples could include combining two elementary schools, creating a K-8 or 6-12 or other grade configurations.

    • Repurposing schools: Convert all or part of a school to provide specialized educational or community services. Examples could include an education center (i.e., career & technical, early learning, special education), health services, dental services, workforce training, senior services, youth programming, recreational spaces and more.

    • Leasing or selling: Lease or sell District properties to address other community needs, such as affordable housing

    • Closing schools: Should a school close, the District will ensure students are re-assigned to another school where their educational needs can be better met.

    • School boundary changes: Change the school attendance zone by adding or removing neighborhoods assigned to a specific school.

  • Which schools will be impacted?

    There is not a predetermined list of schools. The District has committed to getting input from the community first before making recommendations about specific schools.

  • What factors will be evaluated?

    Redefining our Schools will involve a range of considerations, including data and community input, to ensure recommendations are equitable. Additional factors may be identified through District and community planning. Please note: The District is in the process of comprehensively analyzing data. No single data point will drive decision-making on possible school changes.

    Factor 

    Data Resources 

    Description 

    Enrollment 

    Under-enrolled schools 

    List of schools under 70% of capacity utilization 

    Enrollment 

    Planning Tool

    Enrollment trends, and percentage of: over or under school enrollment capacity; in-boundary and out of boundary; exceptional student education programs; and preschool classes.

    Enrollment 

    Student Enrollment Counts 

    Student Enrollment Counts 

    Enrollment

    Student Enrollment Data by City

    Residing Students by City Attending and Not Attending Their Home Boundary Schools 

    Enrollment 

    2023/24 School Benchmark Data 

    School benchmark, enrollment, capacity and diversity

    Enrollment of Surrounding Schools 

    Private School Reports 

     

    Private school reports 

    Enrollment of Surrounding Schools 

    Other Choice Options 

    Other choice reports 

    Competitive Analysis of Non-District Schools 

    Under development 

    TBD 

    Neighborhood Demographics 

    Demographics 

    Enrollment statistics, trends, and research about residents of Broward County  

    Facility Conditions 

    Facility condition assessment in progress 

    Assessment of structures, building envelopes, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and roofs.

     

    School Performance 

    School Data 

    School grades, graduation rate, advanced placement, attendance, discipline and more.

    School Operational Costs 

    Under development 

    TBD 

    Survey Data 

    Under development 

    TBD 

    Initial Redefining Criteria

    Initial Redefining Criteria

    This spreadsheet provides data across all schools Districtwide for key consideration criteria, including but not limited to school enrollment, capacity, performance, historical significance, and facility concerns. This data sheds light on areas needing attention, potential resource challenges, and potential opportunities for restructuring. However, no single data point drives decision-making, and the district is committed to ensuring recommendations are equitable.

  • When will changes take place?

    Redefining BCPS is a multi-year process. In June, the School Board of Broward County will vote on short-term opportunities to right-size the District. No changes will be made for the 2024-25 school year, as additional planning will be required to ensure changes meet community needs.

  • What are the partnership opportunities?

    Redefining BCPS will take the entire community. BCPS seeks to partner to offer specialized education programs, work-based learning experiences, affordable housing and enhanced community and health services. If you are interested in becoming a partner, please email redefiningbcps@browardschools.com

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