- November 23, 2024
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It is my honor to welcome back our student scholars and their parents and guardians for what will prove to be an amazing year in Flagler County Schools. It seems like we just graduated the Class of 2013 and here we are, getting ready to greet the Class of 2014 for their senior year.
This is an exciting time to be a part of the Flagler County School system. Led by our superintendent, Janet Valentine, and our assistant superintendent, Jacob Oliva, Flagler Schools are in the midst of a transformative period in this district’s history. Over the past three years, we have seen our district rise in achievement to where we are now ranked the 11th highest performing school district in the state of Florida (out of 67 traditional school districts).
Recent acheivements
In this current culture of school accountability, our hard-working administrators, teachers, support staff and student scholars are performing at high levels not seen before in Flagler County’s history. Here is a brief summary of Flagler Schools' achievements from 2012-13:
Ranked the 11th highest school district in Florida, based on total points awarded for student achievement. Additionally, Flagler Schools is highly ranked in these academic areas:
Secured districtwide re-accreditation through AdvancED/SACS for another five years, recognizing Flagler’s commitment to raising student performance and accountability.
Received Silver rankings for our two high schools, Matanzas High School and Flagler Palm Coast High School, by U.S. News & World Report in their Best High Schools ranking. That ranking places MHS in the top 7% of high schools nationally, and FPC in the top 11%.
Selected by the U.S. Department of Education and Microsoft Learning to develop a Microsoft IT Academy.
Updated the district’s mission and vision. Our vision states: “As a courageous, innovative leader in education, Flagler County Public Schools will be the nation's premier learning organization where ALL students graduate as socially responsible citizens with the skills necessary to reach their maximum potential.”
Released a communications plan which included a new district logo and branding identity and targets strategic improvements in communicating with all stakeholders.
Voters approved continuation of the half-penny sales tax to promote academic achievement via the integration of technology in the classroom and maintenance of our existing facilities.
Exciting initiatives
This is just the beginning of increased academic performance for Flagler Schools and our vision to be the nation’s premier learning organization. The district continues to advance innovative and creative solutions to promote student achievement. We are in the midst of an educational revolution in Flagler Schools, and here is a brief example of some of the exciting initiatives and programs for the new school year:
The digital learning movement: Flagler Schools has launched a transformative investment in the success and future of Flagler County students and staff. Beginning this school year, every Flagler County student in grades 5-12 will be issued a laptop or tablet for 24/7 access to engaging and interactive technology and digital curriculum resources. Students in grades K-4 will also have ubiquitous access to the same technology and resources in their classrooms, via shared devices. This initiative will allow Flagler Schools to be one of the first districts to fully comply with the Florida Department of Education’s mandate that every public school district shift to digital instructional materials and transition to online assessment by 2015. This initiative also provides the technology to meet the computer testing requirements established by the new Common Core State Standards.
Jacob Oliva, Flagler Schools Assistant Superintendent states: “This is groundbreaking territory for our school district and will change the way we deliver instruction in our schools. Flagler County will definitely be pioneering and setting the standard for other districts to follow. Through the use of thoughtful and innovative technology that enhances and extends teaching and learning, which includes simple yet significant support and access to the largest collection of educational content and productivity tools in the world, we will bring tremendous value to our students, our teachers and our taxpayers.”
Flagler i3 New Tech Academy: Flagler Schools is launching a new high school program and alternative learning environment, the Flagler i3 New Tech Academy. Located on the Flagler Palm Coast High School campus, Flagler i3 New Tech is one of the first of its kind in Florida. Flagler i3 New Tech students will learn to work collaboratively in a project-based learning approach to the curriculum that utilizes a one-to-one technology environment. A student driven culture of respect, responsibility, and trust is deeply embedded in the new tech philosophy.
Expanded Phoenix Academy: Phoenix Academy is Flagler Schools’ elementary school alternative that focuses on a service learning approach to the curriculum, provides a small school learning environment and incorporates 1:1 technology. Phoenix was originally a single-grade looping classroom but has been expanded to include fourth and fifth grades.
Students first
Economically, state revenue for general school operating expenses continues to fall short. In spite of these economic constraints, Flagler Schools continues to place students first, to seek innovative solutions, and to pursue academic success for every student.
We are proud that the AdvancED accreditation team took notice of this, and in their final report they especially noted that “every dollar was put to the benefit of students in the form of reading teachers, electives, art and music education and various types of academic coaches, all of which have been cut in many other districts” and also praising "Flagler’s willingness to take risks.”
While we take a moment to celebrate our successes and get ready to start a new school year, please know that we are aware of our weaknesses as well. We are not perfect. What makes me excited about the future is that the entire Flagler team takes full responsibility for the good and the bad, and we have a plan in place and the commitment to tackle these issues head on. We have the teachers, support staff, administrators and community partners that are driven to succeed where we have failed to perform in the past. The entire Flagler Schools team is dedicated in our mission and vision to be the nation’s premier learning organization.”
From our family to yours, we look forward to an outstanding school year for our student scholars!
Andy Dance
Flagler County School Board Chairman
