PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2025) — Forty-four Palm Beach County public schools have been recognized by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) as “Schools of Excellence,” a statewide designation awarded to campuses that consistently perform among the top 20% of schools in Florida over a three-year span.
The recognition, announced by the FDOE on September 24, 2025, underscores the district’s standing as an “A” rated and Academically High-Performing District, according to state accountability data.
“Having 44 of our schools earn the Florida ‘School of Excellence’ designation is a testament to their sustained commitment to high academic achievement,” said Superintendent Michael J. Burke in a statement shared with Boca Post. “This recognition is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, administrators, and support staff. These school communities set a high standard of excellence and are a key reason why we are an ‘A’ rated, Academically High-Performing District and ‘Your Best Choice’ for families.”
According to the FDOE memo sent to superintendents statewide, the School of Excellence program was created by the Florida Legislature in 2017. Schools earn the designation by ranking in the 80th percentile or higher among their peer groups—elementary, middle, high, or combination—for at least two of the last three school years (Florida Department of Education, 2025).
Statewide, 744 schools across 49 districts received the honor this year. Among them, 54 schools were newly designated, while 304 renewed and 386 maintained their prior status.
Of the 44 Palm Beach County schools named, the following are in Boca Raton and Delay Beach areas:
- Addison Mizner School – Boca Raton
- Blue Lake Elementary – Boca Raton
- Boca Raton Community High School – Boca Raton
- Calusa Elementary School – Boca Raton
- Coral Sunset Elementary School – Boca Raton
- Del Prado Elementary School – Boca Raton
- Hammock Pointe Elementary School – Boca Raton
- Morikami Park Elementary School – Delray Beach
- Omni Middle School – Boca Raton
- Sandpiper Shores Elementary School – Boca Raton
- Spanish River Community High School – Boca Raton
- Sunrise Park Elementary School – Boca Raton
- Verde K-8 School – Boca Raton
- Waters Edge Elementary School – Boca Raton
- West Boca Raton Community High School – Boca Raton
Schools that achieve this designation enjoy certain flexibilities under state law, including autonomy in scheduling and class size averaging, as outlined in the FDOE memorandum from Senior Chancellor Dr. Paul O. Burns.
The district says the recognition reflects more than test scores — it highlights the collaborative culture of teachers, staff, and families who maintain high standards year after year.
Families seeking similar academic opportunities can explore the district’s 330+ Choice and Career programs, which offer pathways in areas such as arts, medical sciences, aviation, and the International Baccalaureate. Those options will be showcased during the annual “Showcase of Schools” on October 28, 2025, at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center.
Applications for the 2026-2027 school year open November 3, 2025, at mypbchoiceapp.com. The deadline for programs requiring auditions is December 5, 2025, and for all other Choice programs, January 30, 2026.
This announcement comes a day after Boca Post reported on declining public school enrollment across Palm Beach County, particularly in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, where some families have cited Choice options as a contributing factor (Boca Post, Oct. 26, 2025).
Even as enrollment patterns shift, the district’s latest achievement underscores the continued strength of many of its schools — a reminder that excellence and innovation remain central to education in Palm Beach County.
