The School District of Palm Beach County, Florida, is the 11th largest in the continental US and the 5th largest in the state of Florida with 187 schools, serving 174,004 (Total K-12) students who speak 141 languages/dialects.

Our 2011-12 total budget is $2.3 billion serving 21,361 employees including 12,480 teachers. Over 38,500 community volunteers provide academic assistance to students through the Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) Program.

Our school grades are among the highest in the state with 89 schools earning A’s, 22
schools earning B’s, and 21 schools earning C’s (excluding Alternative Schools, Charter
Schools and High Schools).

The School District of Palm Beach County has earned an "A" rating from the Florida Department of Education for the seventh consecutive year based on student performance on the FCAT.

Additionally, approximately 1,190 business partners provide between $3 million and $4 million per year in cash and other resources to support increased student achievement. As our school district grows more diverse, the task of providing effective learning experiences for every child in every classroom becomes increasingly more challenging. The School District of Palm Beach County recognizes this challenge and is determined to identify and eliminate obstacles that may exist within the structure of the schools and the school system.

The District has continually improved its graduation rate to 81% and has closed the gap between white and minority students in both graduation rate and academic performance.

Palm Beach ranks among the "best" in the state and nation in return on investment (ROI) as found in a national 2011 study by the Center for American Progress, for its high student achievement and low cost.

The District is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The District was established in 1909 and was formally known as the Palm Beach County Board of Public Instruction until the mid-1980's.

For more information on the Palm Beach County School District visit: http://www.palmbeachschools.org/

Other “Just the Facts”:

The District has thirty-five (35) Charter schools as of July 1, 2011.

The Home Education Office registered and ensured statutory compliance for 4,950 students in FY11. Our program, considered a model by FLDOE, continues to lead the state in size and students qualifying for Bright Futures scholarships.

There are 174 Choice Programs that include a variety of academic and career and technical education related programs of study in 71 elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the county. Over 35,000 students participate yearly.

The Department of Exceptional Student Education (ESE) assists the schools by providing a free and appropriate public education for all students with disabilities, ages 3-21. There are 34,246 students in all ESE programs. This includes 8,541 students in the Gifted program. Many of these ESE students are mainstreamed into regular classes.

The District has built 85 new schools in the past 12 years, winning national design and construction awards.

Our district has 40,030 computers (5 years or newer) available to teachers and students arranged in a combination of networked computer labs, distributed workstations and stand-alone computers.

There are twenty-seven (27) community schools which includes a Virtual Community School providing on-line instruction. Adult and Community Education programs provide opportunities to thousands of students and county residents each year. Last year, 13,000 students were served in ESOL, 2,500 students earned high school credits and approximately 1,660 residents earned their GED in these programs.

Currently approximately 18,440 (excludes new Kindergarten or 12th graders who have graduated) students are in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes. There are 141 languages & dialects spoken; ESOL classes are also held for adults.

After School Enrichment Programs are provided for 16,000 students in 97 of our schools, 3,500 students in 36 middle schools and 13 Beacon Centers. Summer Camps are provided in over 50 of our schools during the summer months.

Fourteen (14) teachers earned National Board Certification during the 2010-2011 school year, bringing the District's total number of nationally certified teachers to 718.

Twelve (12) Palm Beach County public high schools have made the Washington Post Company’s 2011 list of America’s top high schools. Suncoast Community High School, Boca Raton Community High School, A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Atlantic Community High School, Spanish River Community High School, West Boca Community High School, Olympic Heights Community High School, Palm Beach Gardens Community High School, Jupiter Community High School, Park Vista Community High School, G-Star School for Motion Pictures and Television and W.T. Dwyer High School.