• Broward County Public Schools announced on Monday that it received more than $14 million from the U.S. Department of Education to support school choice and magnet programs 
• The five-year grant will increase school choice options and assist six schools throughout the county in implementing a new magnet program called Achieving Career Equity for Students 
• The program introduces students to various career pathways, allowing them to participate in instructional models tailored to future career interests 
• BCPS is one of only 19 school districts in the country to receive the funding

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) announced on Monday that it has been awarded the U.S. Department of Education’s Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) grant for more than $14 million. BCPS is one of only 19 school districts in the country to receive the funding.

The five-year grant will increase school choice options and assist six schools throughout the county in implementing a new magnet program called Achieving Career Equity for Students (ACES).

The ACES program places a strong emphasis on career exploration by allowing students to participate in instructional models with a career emphasis that is tailored to their interests and by presenting career-based curricula that link studies and experiences to potential academic pathways.

“The MSAP grant aligns with the District’s Strategic Plan and focuses on providing high-quality instruction to our students,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Vickie L. Cartwright. “Through the ACES project, schools will introduce innovative educational practices that allow students to meet high academic standards and prepare them for college and careers.” 

Through the MSAP grant, BCPS will create three new programs at Oakland Park Elementary School, Mirror Lake Elementary School, and James S. Rickards Middle School, and significantly revise the magnet programs at Plantation Middle School, Plantation High School, and Northeast High School, according to a district statement.   

Magnet schools typically accept students that meet academic requirements pertaining to grade point average and testing scores, serving as what is oftentimes referred to as advanced learning classes. The district does, however, offer an Integrated Career Academic Networks (iCAN) magnet program in some schools — three middle schools and three high schools — that allows each student attending the school to partake in magnet program curricula, as opposed to a select admitted few.

“Today, we’re investing in schools and communities that have shown a commitment to intentionally serving students and closing opportunity gaps based on race, place, and circumstance in America,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

Across the 19 grant recipients, the U.S. Department of Education invested more than $110 million dollars.

“Every child has something to offer this country, and they deserve access to effective educators, inclusive and supportive learning environments, and innovative, engaging programs that unlock their potential and lead to success. These grant awards will help communities reimagine our schools through a more equitable lens and raise the bar for how we serve students who too often get left behind,” continued Cardona.