Living in Florida, for many, is an enjoyable experience. The tropical climate and the beach-like towns are what many people love about their home state. The state of Florida is far more than just a vacation destination where you travel to see Mickey Mouse and catch some sun. For many, Florida is their home base. Among the many cities in Florida, several school districts stand out as not only academically successful but, also, huge in numbers and budget.
©BalanceFormCreative/Shutterstock.com
1. Miami-Dade County Public Schools
The Miami-Dade County Public School District, or MDCPS, is the largest in Florida and the third-largest school district in the US. It is located in Southern Florida and the district encompasses over 2,000 miles of land. Currently, the school district is home to 331,500 students and 34,400+ employees. The district is comprised of 392 schools in total. The schools itself have a 92% graduation rate and have had A-rated schools for three consecutive years. Students and staff in MDCPS speak 56 different languages and represent 160 countries.
2. Boward County Public Schools
Boward County Public Schools, or BCPS, is the second-largest school district in Florida and the sixth-largest in the US, located in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The district has been around since 1915 and is home to over 256,000 students. BCPS hosts 240 schools, including career centers, technical colleges, and 90 charter schools. In 2022, students from BCPS earned $142 million in scholarships for higher education and the district has a 96.6% graduation rate.
3. Hillsborough County Public Schools
The Hillsborough County Public School District is the third-largest in the state of Florida. The district is located in Hillsborough County, which also includes the city of Tampa. The school district houses 303 schools and 218,943 students. There are 151 pre-schools, 203 elementary schools, 120 middle schools, and 65 high schools in the district.
4. Orange County Public Schools
Orange County Public Schools is the fourth-largest school district in Florida and the eighth-largest in the country. The school district is home to 209,000 students at 210 different schools. OCPS is one of the largest employers in Central Florida, with over 25,000 employees working there. There are over 1,600 languages spoken among students and staff in the district. As well, in 2021, they had a 98.4% graduation rate. According to their website, in 2023, 130 high school graduates from the class of 2023 were accepted into the nation’s top 20 colleges and universities.
- 4-serving meals starting at $3.77 per serving (up to 25% cheaper than HelloFresh).
- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
5. Palm Beach County School District
The Palm Beach County School District (SDPBC) is the fifth-largest school district in the state of Florida and the tenth-largest school district in the US. SDPBC is home to over 189,000 students, as well as 22,891 staff and employees. The school district also hosts students and staff representing over 192 countries. According to their website, their mission is “to educate, affirm, and inspire each student in an equity-embedded school system.” SDPBC has a 93% graduation rate and is A-rated by the Florida Department of Education.
©Prostock-studio/Shutterstock.com
6. Duval County Public Schools
The Duval County Public Schools district is the sixth-largest in the state of Florida and the 20th-largest in the US. It is located in the City of Jacksonville and Duval County, Florida. The district was founded in 1864 and houses 197 schools, 129,000+ students, and 12,000+ employees. The district has a graduation rate of 85.6%, with students ranking high in both math and reading standardized tests.
7. Polk County Public Schools
The Polk County Public School District is the seventh-largest school district in Florida and among the 30th in the nation. It is located and serves those who live in Polk County, Florida. The school district is home to over 114,700 students and 120 schools. Polk County Public Schools have been around for over 150 years and date back all the way to 1869 when its school board was formed. Their mission is for students to “be self-directed in creating personal purpose and vision, setting priorities, choosing ethical action, and creating their own knowledge.”
8. Pinellas County Schools
The Pinellas County School District is the eighth-largest in Florida. The district is located in Pinellas County, which is located near the Gulf of Mexico, home to about 930,000 residents. The school district is also home to over 96,068 students. The school district has received a ton of awards and recognition, being chosen as an inaugural winner of the Great Districts for Great Teachers honor. As well, 28 of the district's schools were selected and recognized as America’s Healthiest Schools by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
9. School District of Lee County
The School District of Lee County is the ninth-largest in Florida, located in Lee County. The district houses over 95,000 students and over 13,000 employees. There are 120 schools in the district and the district has a 88.5% graduation rate. The School District of Lee County's mission is “to ensure that each student achieves his/her highest personal potential.”
- 4-serving meals starting at $3.77 per serving (up to 25% cheaper than HelloFresh).
- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock.com.