Principal Sanaa McBride

Children are susceptible to issues affecting their communities, whether directly or indirectly. However, Biscayne Elementary School works to help students navigate these challenges. To aid students in working to solve real-world problems, Biscayne conducts food drives, clothing drives, and addresses homelessness concerns. The school provides resources and education that encourage agriculture, healthy eating, and environmental stewardship. Biscayne students take part in hands-on projects focused on community improvement that require them to use critical thinking skills to navigate any challenges that come up as they get ready to become future leaders.

Principal Tina Bennet

John E. Ford has a unique advantage to helping students work through real-world problems. As a Montessori school, students are constantly encouraged to work through troubles by using their problem-solving skills. Given this unique advantage, teachers and staff are intentional in working with students to build these skills creatively. They set up their classrooms to include materials and curriculum that replicate everyday situations, encouraging students to assume responsibility at home and to prepare them to be thoughtful citizens.

Principal Kimberly Brown

Northwestern Legends knows just how difficult it can be for students and families to navigate the home-school balance. Staff go above and beyond to reach out to families and offer support to alleviate stressors. Northwestern Legends has a food pantry and clothing hub for students and families and offers social work and truancy support when needed. While many of the students experience poverty, staff ensure they know they can thrive and overcome these circumstances. Students have the opportunity to participate in organizations like the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project and take part in college tours.

Principal Mychelle Grover

With transparency and empathy, Andrew A. Robinson administrators and educators go out of their way to make sure that family members and community members are engaged in students’ education. They create inclusive learning environments where families are encouraged to participate in their child’s education journey, reinforcing academic success. Families are also provided enrichment programs that emphasize the importance of literacy and the need to read a little more each day. Andrew Robinson has a way of not only get the parents involved, but also the community – creating a STEM program and food education program that challenges families and community members to harness critical thinking and educate themselves on the benefits of eating good food.

Principal Natalya Richie-Graham

Highlands Estates Academy embodies the theme of “Student and Family Life” by actively engaging families in all aspects of education. Through interactive family nights, PTA events, and community events, the Highland Estates community creates a strong home-school connection. Hands-on learning, STEM projects, and arts programs inspire curiosity, while parent volunteers and workshops empower families to support student success. The inclusive, nurturing environment ensures every child thrives academically and socially. With events like a recent financial literacy night, Highlands Estates is educating families and community members on how to create a healthier financial future.

Principal Amber Felts

Sabal Palm decided to focus on the themes STEM and Art for the 2024-25 school year. These themes have allowed families and students to take part in hands-on learning events that build family connection and student education. Incorporating different family lifestyles and diverse cultures into their events, Sabal Palm has been able to reach families where they need to be met most. From academically focused events like art and STEM nights, to family engagement movie and dance nights, families rave about the opportunities they have to be a part of their child’s educational journey.

Principal Jennifer Crady

At Southside Middle School, diversity is not just a characteristic of their student body, it is a cornerstone of its learning environment.  As one of the most culturally diverse middle schools in Duval County – with 33 different languages spoken by our students, families, and staff – they embrace (Southside Middle embraces) inclusivity and collaboration as fundamental values.  The school thrives on the theme of learning to work together in diverse environments, ensuring that every student – regardless of their linguistic background – feels supported, valued, and empowered to succeed. Southside Middle recognizes that multilingualism is not just a reality but a right and a resource for learning. In fact, faculty actively embraces this mindset by… engaging in the challenge of learning a new language themselves.  Understanding firsthand the struggles and triumphs of language acquisition allows teachers to better support their students. 

Principal Truitte Moreland

Andrew Jackson's theme prides itself on preparing students for college and career readiness and encourages students to respect diversity.  Students come from many backgrounds and unite to learn important topics such as cybersecurity, programming languages, and sports medicine.  Teachers and students collaborate to create a welcoming learning environment where students feel both safe and free to express their viewpoint without fear of judgement or scorn. Jackson is filled with students from different cultures, beliefs, and experiences, and they make sure to create an environment where everyone feels included and valued.

Principal Marleny Chirino

Englewood is home to students from over 80 different countries. Every classroom is a picture-perfect example of diversity, where educators get to watch students learn from one another as much as they learn from them. Students and staff get to share their culture every day, culminating in an annual Multicultural celebration in May. The thing educators love most about their job at Englewood is how much they get to learn from their students about their diverse backgrounds. It enriches their life. Englewood’s staff and students also collaborate to celebrate and increase cultural awareness. The diverse group of student interns help improve interpersonal relationships through peer counseling and mentorship. From the care used when interacting with peers from their PRIDE unit to this year’s cookout in honor of Black History Month, their yearly Multicultural Day celebration that rivals World of Nations, their RAMily works as one to meet the needs of all.

Principal Michelle Hinkley

At Greenland Pines teachers use Zones of Regulation and Calm Classrooms to help students understand their emotions and learn tools to manage them. In the classroom, there are “calm corners” that encourage students to take advantage of the safe space to regulate their emotions. Additionally, students are taught how to use self-assessment through the day to promote emotional regulation allowing them to improve their academic understanding. Students learn they can do anything and continue to advocate for themselves.

Principal Annessia Powell

GRASP uses the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) gold standard to support students. Educators prioritize developing life skills and identifying student talents to foster self-advocacy. As a school for students who deal with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia, it is an everyday goal to promote a mindset of “I can” and positive affirmations to navigate students through anxiety, depression, and frustration. Students are also offered the opportunity to take part in a leadership class once they reach sixth grade that provides them with opportunities to develop leadership skills and assist their peers and staff.

Principal Robert Hudson

Many students struggle with their mental health. Terry Parker students took initiative to help students find their confidence and build their mental health coping skills by hosting a Mental Health Fair on November 7. The program, which was presented by the Interact Club, took place during lunch periods where students were presented with ways to cope with stress, understand that they are not alone, and learn how to build resiliency through tough times. Terry Parker Interact Club officers were dedicated to collaborating with community partners and other school clubs to promote mental health awareness and support building “I can” skills.

Principal Kendall Parris

While Love Grove serves more than just ESE students, educators are taking some unique and powerful steps to inspire their ESE population in building creative skills. In their fifth grade ESE classroom, they are teaching students lifelong lessons. Students are learning how to fold clothes, wash dishes, and even use their creativity to cook, bake and garden. They take part in the Life Skills Snack Cart project, which allows students to organize and deliver snacks and drinks to staff. Building their independence skills, they are also responsible for collecting “Manatee Bucks” from staff to run their business.

Principal Andrea Talley

Landmark inspires creative skills in a variety of ways. Students have the opportunity to engage in extracurricular activities that integrate academics and creativity. The integration of creative outlets into academics keeps students engaged and makes learning more exciting. Students take part in the robotics club, band, arts and crafts, music, athletics, and Play-Doh comic strips. These activities foster teamwork and build confidence in students to think outside the box. 

Principal Jessica Mastromatto

Peterson, a career academy, encourages students to pursue their passions and find creative ways to foster lifelong skills to become career and college ready. Students must use their imagination to fulfill projects and tasks to complete their career academy programs. This includes formulating intricate menus in the culinary program for events, building curricula in early childhood education to engage young learners, building robots and solving problems in aerospace engineering and automotive repair, and much more. These and other programs allow students to work towards their high school diploma while inspiring them to dig deep into their imagination and build creative skills.

Principal Moses Williams

Mt. Herman shares a unique experience, but that isn’t stopping them from pushing to increase their attendance. Staff work on emphasizing Experience, Exposure, and Opportunities for all students. Administration works with bus drivers, occupational and physical therapists, teachers, and families to ensure students are attending school. Opportunities are created to ensure that each student’s unique circumstances are supported to promote attendance and a thriving student. This includes making space so students in wheelchairs can easily access their school campus areas.

Principal Tamara Roper

Stilwell is taking an approach to attendance that many schools have implemented – school money! Cadets receive school money for attending school every day, every period. This school money can be used to shop at the school store. But outside of this nice incentive, a dedicated attendance clerk monitors attendance and reaches out to families of students who have two unexcused absences. A meeting with a truancy officer is scheduled if a student has missed five days in a row and ten days in a nine-week period.

Principal Mary Flynn

At APR, administrators are putting a major focus on how attendance can lead to success. Daily morning video announcements, periodic school newsletters, and their website are shared with students and families acknowledging the importance of attending schools. Additionally, relationships are built with families to encourage daily attendance. At-risk students are identified, and home visits are made to foster a change in mindset. At the end of each quarter, students are rewarded with attendance certificates to recognize their commitment to attendance excellence.