Broward students return to school August 11 with new programs, safety tools, and tech upgrades
Broward County, Florida – On Monday, August 11, Broward County students will go back to school. Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is starting the 2025–26 school year with a lot of new activities and changes. Teachers, administrators, and support staff have been working hard to make sure that schools are ready to welcome students with better resources, more ways to learn, and safer environments.
Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn is excited about the new school year coming up, especially because the district got an “A” grade from the Florida Department of Education for the second year in a row.
“This achievement reflects the hard work and commitment of our students, teachers, staff, and families. We’re building on this success by continuing to expand world-class educational options and staying focused on creating safe, secure learning environments where every student can thrive,” Hepburn said in a release.
One of the main changes this year is that there are now more academic alternatives available to students and their families. BCPS is opening four new K–8 schools, including Coral Cove Academy of the Arts and Silver Shores STEAM Academy. These schools will emphasize on science, technology, engineering, aviation, and math. The Pines Collegiate Academy for grades 6–12 will also offer career and college-prep programs in fields including culinary arts, robotics, and aeronautics. Students will also have the ability to acquire an associate degree while still in high school.
The new Broward Estates Early Learning and Resource Center will help younger kids and adults. Its goal is to bring together early childhood education and community-based resources in one place.
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This year, health and wellbeing are also getting a push. Blanche Ely High School and William Dandy Middle School will each get a new Health and Resource Hub. These clinics will be the first in the district to offer on-site primary care through a nurse practitioner, as well as mental and emotional health support. They will be run together with Community-Based Connection, Inc. These clinics are part of an expanding network of wellness centers that are already on other campuses.
BCPS is giving all of its staff CrisisAlert™ badges to help make schools even safer. Staff can get help right away during emergencies by pushing a button on these wearable devices. The tags are an extra part of the district’s emergency alert system, which already has resources like the SaferWatch app.
The way technology is used in the classroom is also changing. BCPS and Microsoft have worked together to launch the biggest K–12 use of Microsoft 365 Copilot in the globe. This AI-powered application will help teachers save time when planning lessons, make learning more personal for each student, and give administrators useful data that will assist them make decisions about the school.
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Food services are getting an upgrade too. Students may look forward to a new menu that has breakfast tacos, beef and broccoli bowls, and guava pastelitos. For all students, breakfast is still free, but the price of lunch has changed. Families who qualify can still get meals at a lower price. They are invited to apply online.
Finally, BCPS is launching a new website that is easier to use on mobile devices and makes it easier for families to discover important information, like pages for each school.
The district is thrilled to welcome students back to school soon. They will be in a safe, growth-oriented, and successful environment. You may find more information and resources at browardschools.com/backtoschool.
More details are available here.
