What’s New with the Palm Beach County School District?

Sharpen your pencils, grab your notebooks and don’t forget your lunch box because it’s time to head back to school! The Palm Beach County School District welcomes students back into the classroom Monday, Aug. 12 to kick off the 2024-2025 school year. Here’s what to expect this year.

Free School Meals

For the entirety of the 2024-2025 school year, Palm Beach County students can receive free school breakfast and lunch. This is thanks to a recent amendment to the county’s policy under the National School Lunch/School Breakfast Programs, according to WPEC CBS12 news. The district “hopes this food program alleviates pressure on families facing food insecurity,” according to WPEC CBS12 news. It also “ensures all students have access to nutritious meals regardless of their family’s income status” and may help “improve student focus, attendance and academic achievement.” Per federal guidelines, the meals will include fresh fruit, vegetables and a choice of low-fat milk.

New School Board Members

Three Palm Beach County School Board members are stepping down this year. The nonpartisan primary elections for these three seats will be held Aug. 20, according to WLRN South Florida, a PBS and NPR affiliate news outlet. The following members= are stepping down: Barbara McQuinn, representing District 1 and serving as Board Vice Chair; Alexandria Ayala, representing District 2; and Frank A. Barbieri, Jr., Esq., the former School Board Chair and District 5 representative. Following the primaries, general elections will take place Nov. 5.

Recent Accomplishments

Two high schools in the Palm Beach County school district ranked nationally in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report. As a state, Florida ranked fifth overall (compared to the U.S. states and District of Columbia), according to Patch, a community news resource. A total of 647 Florida high schools ranked nationally, and 242 Florida schools fell in the top 25%. One of the top-ranking Palm Beach County schools is Alexander W. Dreyfoos Junior School of the Arts in West Palm Beach (No. 91 nationally and No. 10 in Florida). The other Palm Beach County school is Suncoast Community High School in Riviera Beach(No. 98 nationally and No. 12 in Florida). Expect another great school year with thisnationally ranked district!

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