Showcase of Choices
On September 7 the Palm Beach County Chapter of the League of Women Voters viewed a Showcase of Choice programs in Palm Beach County public schools. These are special programs that enable students to take advantage of additional resources and innovative teaching techniques, according to their individual interests. Dr. Jeraline Johnson, Director of Choice and Career Options for Palm Beach Schools, presented teachers and students from a range of Academies that allow students to explore career fields in depth.
Palm Beach County is the tenth largest school district in the United States. It serves 176,000 students who speak 150 languages and dialects. The mission of the school system is to empower each student to reach his or her highest potential. As a result of the Academies, the high school graduation rate has increased to 91.7%. Dr. Johnson presented a sample of the 320 Choice, Career and Technical Academies in county schools.
The first students we heard represented the Innovative Interactive Technology Academy of Suncoast Community High School in Riviera Beach. The team of 43 collaborators call themselves “Children of the Swamp.” Kara, Chris, Seth and James demonstrated the robot they had built to stack crates efficiently, using what they had learned about mechanical and electrical engineering. Their project won the Orlando Regional robotics competition and placed fourth in a worldwide competition. Their tee shirts carry the names of business and community sponsors who help fund their activities.
Tera Hands, Choice Coordinator at Palm Beach Lakes Community High School, introduced students from her school’s six academies: Early Childhood Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Biotechnology, Fire Science (supported by a grant of $200,000 from JP Morgan Chase), and Marine Corps Junior ROTC (200 cadets). The students took turns telling about the certifications they had earned in Lab Technology, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, Emergency Medical Response, and After School Childcare. We couldn’t help but notice their assurance in public speaking and their enthusiasm for direct exposure to professionals.
Abbe Gleicher, Choice Coordinator at Lake Worth Community* High School brought several students from her school’s Criminal Justice and Biomedical Academies. Other Lake Worth Academies include Construction, Culinary Arts, Drafting and Design, Early Childhood Teacher Education, and Air Force JROTC. About half of the student body is enrolled in an Academy. When students apply to an academy they must meet certain eligibility requirements, such as grade point average. After eligibility is determined, there is a lottery for available seats. Students take Academy courses as electives for one or two periods during the regular school day.
My ears perked up when I heard her say that students in the Drafting and Design Academy had earned AutoCAD certificates, since my daughter Lilli works for Autodesk. Graduates of the Teacher Education Academy may sign contracts that allow them preference for a job in the school system after they graduate from college. All academies accommodate special needs students. With pride, Ms Gleicher challenged any school system in the US to rival Palm Beach County schools’ Choice Academies.
*A Community High School offers courses, such as languages, to adults in the community.
Officer Salm teaches 143 students in Santaluces Community High School’s Criminal Justice Academy. The curriculum emphasizes physical fitness, leadership, discipline, professionalism, etiquette, and developing a command presence. Salm, a retired police officer turned teacher, says that his cadets set a standard for other students, participating in fundraising and collecting shoes for needy students. One cadet said he wants to be a lawyer. Many students decide on different career paths, but learn from exposure to professionals in their field of interest. Santaluces also has a Culinary Academy and a Visual Arts Academy that specializes in Digital Media and Photography.
On September 10, twelve League members boarded a school bus for a closer look at PBC School Academies with Dr. Jeraline Johnson. Our first stop was Grassy Waters Elementary School where Dr. Jennifer Galindo, Principal, oversees 830 students. She showed us first graders learning the organs of the bodies (Biomedical and Veterinary Technology Academy), second graders applying themselves to art, and fifth graders measuring the flight of gliders and learning about the effects of weight changes. In all three classes we saw gifted teachers and attentive students. Getting kids interested in Academies early seems wise.
At L.C. Swain Middle School, the Principal, Dr. James Thomas, told us that 96% of his 1400 students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Parents may drop off their children as early as 7:00 am for breakfast. Tutorials begin at 7:45; instruction, at 9:30. His experience indicates that having students engaged with Academies has improved discipline in the school. There are fewer altercations, more talking out problems. Thomas himself has four teen-aged daughters.
In a classroom that looked like a courtroom, we watched 6th graders in the Pre-Law Academy deciding whether the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution applied to a case they were studying. On the wall were posted many job titles that relate to Law. Pre-Law in Middle School is an excellent foundation for a high school Law Academy and a multitude of choices later on.
Another large classroom provided computers, informative posters, and beds with realistic dummy patients for the Pre-Medical Science Choice Program.
Dr. Thomas was especially proud of students in the AVID program, who met us at the door. AVID students begin preparing for college success in Middle School. The school’s mascot is a Stallion. Inspiring pictures and messages filled the hallways.
Our final stop was Lake Worth Community High School. We were met by Osi, Luisa, and Fatima, Lake Worth students who had participated in the previous Saturday’s Showcase. First established in 1922, Lake Worth’s Spanish style building was renovated and expanded in 1999. 
With an enrollment of over 2,500, Lake Worth is one of Palm Beach County’s largest schools. It has seven magnet programs: the award-winning Air Force JROTC Academy, led by instructors retired from the Air Force; Medicine and Allied Health; Early Childhood Development; Criminal Justice; Culinary; and Drafting and Design. Their newest program, 3DE, is the only one of its kind in the County and has partnered with Delta Airlines and other local businesses to analyze and solve real problems.
Lt. Col. Kirk Hughes, USAF, Ret., is the director of the Air Force Junior ROTC, which boasts 314 students. Twenty-four cadets intern at Lantana Airport each summer. The Air Force supplies uniforms and logistical support to the school program. Hughes told us that the US Air Force needs pilots and will pay to train qualified applicants. A graduate from this program earned her license last summer. One of our League member got to try their Flight Simulator.
Hughes says that Junior cadets are under no pressure to join the Air Force upon graduation, but those with JROTC experience enter the Air Force at a higher rank
The Culinary Academy was located in a professional kitchen; two chefs from Johnson & Wales University were just arriving to teach the next class. Graduates of this Academy earn industry certification either for a full-time job or a part-time jobs to help finance college study.
The Early Childhood Teacher Education is centered around an all-day Preschool for twelve children ages 3 – 5. Some are children of Lake Worth teachers. We arrived at nap time, so Lead Teacher Cynthia met us in the hall. She described how students, by the time they graduate, can chalk up the necessary hours of direct contact to earn a Child Development Association credential that practically guarantees them a job. Seniors train with the professional teachers in the Preschool for two hours each day and rotate as Lead teachers responsible for planning and leading activities. There are even a few males in the Academy!
What I learned: These 320 Academies enroll roughly half of the public high school students in Palm Beach County. At Lake Worth and most County schools, students with English as a Second Language comprise a large share of the population. It can be difficult for these students to earn the grade point averages required for Academy admittance. Some students choose sports or other electives over an Academy. Not included in this Showcase were thriving Performing Arts programs at a few Middle and High Schools.
For those who are admitted, Academies become a home away from home. Attendance is markedly improved. In addition to required subjects, students learn collaboration, research, analysis, writing, and public speaking. They gain invaluable exposure to what careers in law, medicine, or other fields entail. They see professionals enjoying their crafts. League members were overwhelmingly positive about what they learned about Palm Beach County Schools’ Choices.
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