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

  • A Redefining Our Schools update was presented to the School Board and the community at the August 27, 2024, School Board Workshop. Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn reaffirmed his redefining goals, which are led by Broward Schools being the “Choice” for our students and families. Staff outlined the implementation of a detailed marketing and customer service plan that will be key to our redefining efforts. A variety of data was used to identify eleven school clusters (eight elementary clusters and three middle school clusters) for opportunities to explore strategies to address under-enrollment. In the upcoming weeks, meetings will be held with the respective communities to garner their input on the redefining options they would like to engage in. The District is committed to having an inclusive process that values the input of all our stakeholders, as we are #ONEBROWARD!

    REDEFINE PRESENTATION - August 2024

    Presentation Exhibits 1-3 - August 2024

Community Engagement Opportunities

  • Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) invites students, families, staff, and community members to participate in the next step of the Redefining Our Schools initiative. The meetings listed below are opportunities for the community to provide input on redefining options for the identified schools. All meetings will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For additional information, see the September Community Meeting Flyer. (Español, Kreyòl Ayisyen, Portuguese) 

    Meeting Date & Location             

    Schools to be Discussed

    Presentations

    Monday, September 16, 2024
    Dillard 6-12 High School

    Elementary Schools: Broward Estates, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Larkdale, Lauderhill Paul Turner, and Westwood Heights

    View Presentation

    Tuesday, September 17, 2024
    Fort Lauderdale High School

    Elementary Schools: Bennett, North Fork, North Side, Thurgood Marshall, and Walker

    View Presentation

    Wednesday, September 18, 2024
    Coconut Creek High School

    Elementary Schools: Dr. Charles Drew, Coconut Creek, and Liberty

    View Presentation

    Thursday, September 19, 2024
    Piper High School

    Middle Schools: Bair, Plantation, and Westpine

    View Presentation

    Monday, September 23, 2024
    Everglades High School

    Elementary Schools: Chapel Trail, Dolphin Bay, Panther Run, Silver Lakes, Silver Palms, Silver Shores, and Sunset Lakes

    View Presentation

    Wednesday, September 25, 2024
    Charles W. Flanagan High School

    Elementary Schools: Coconut Palm, Coral Cove, Palm Cove, Pasadena Lakes, and Pines Lakes 
    Middle Schools: Driftwood, Glades, New Renaissance, Pines, and Walter C. Young

    View Presentation

    Thursday, September 26, 2024
    Miramar High School

    Elementary Schools: Fairway, Miramar, Sunshine, and Watkins

    View Presentation

    New Date:
    Monday, September 30, 2024
    South Broward High School

    Elementary Schools: Collins, Hollywood Central, and Dr. Mary M. Bethune 
    Middle Schools: Attucks, McNicol, and Olsen

    View Presentation

Redefining Our Schools Meeting Recordings

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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 (tentative and subject to change)

    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)
    • June, 2024 – Redefining BCPS: Proposal review and vote on Superintendent’s recommendation

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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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