Just the Facts
- There are 184 public schools in Palm Beach County including four (4) new schools: K12 Virtual School, Marsh Pointe Elementary, Pine Jog Elementary and Sunset Palms Elementary. In addition, a list of schools that have been modernized/replaced can be viewed by visiting www.PalmBeachSchools.org-click on "School Construction."
- Palm Beach County is the 5th largest school district in Florida and the 12th largest in the nation with 168,342 students (K-12) during the 2008-09 school year.
- Our school grades are among the highest in the state with 104 schools earning A's, 25 schools earning B's, and 25 schools earning C's (excluding Charter Schools).
- The School District of Palm Beach County has earned an "A" rating from the Florida Department of Education for the fourth consecutive year based on student performance on the FCAT.
- The District has thirty-four (34) Charter schools as of January 2009.
- The Home Education Office registered and ensured statutory-compliance for approx. 4,252 students in FY08. Our program continues to lead the state in size and students qualifying for Bright Futures scholarships.
- There are 155 Choice Programs which include magnets, career academies and choice schools and programs in 63 elementary, middle and high schools throughout the county. Over 32,000 students participate yearly.
- Community volunteers (35,120) provided academic assistance to students through the Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) program. There are 515 business partners offering resources to increase academic achievement.
- 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 33,562 students in all ESE programs. This includes 7,507 students in the Gifted program. Many of these ESE students are mainstreamed into regular classes.
- The District has built 81 new schools in the past 10 years, winning national design and construction awards. Three (3) new school are opening this year.
- Our district has 39,958 computers (5 years or newer) available to teachers and students arranged in a combination of networked computer labs, distributed workstations and standalone computers.
- There are twenty-seven (27) community schools plus one (1) Virtual Community School providing on-line instruction. The Adult Education Center provides Adult and Community Education programs to thousands of county residents each year. Last year, 1,660 residents earned their GED in these programs.
- Currently 15,056 (excludes new KG or 12th graders who have graduated) students are in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes. There are 149 languages & dialects spoken; ESOL classes are also held for adults.
- After School Enrichment Programs are provided for 16,500 students in 94 of our schools, 3,400 students in 35 middle schools and 15 Beacon Centers. Summer Camps are provided in over 40 of our schools during the summer months.
- Seventy-two (72) teachers earned National Board Certification during the 2007-2008 school year, bringing the District’s total number of nationally certified teachers to 569.
- Academically, PBC Schools continue to lead nationally. According to Newsweek magazine—The Top of the Class–1,200 Top U.S. Schools (2008). Suncoast High School is the Top High School in Florida and the Top High School in the entire eastern US. Three of our schools are in the Top 100 high schools in America—Suncoast High School, Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. School of the Arts and Atlantic Community High School. Five of our schools are in the Top 5% nationwide.
- These facts are subject to change. Please visit www.palmbeachschools.org and click on “Fact-Filled Brochures” for the latest information.



