District Profile-School Board of Alachua County
A wide variety of innovative educational programs and services have made the Alachua County school district one of the most highly regarded public school systems in Florida. For the last three years the district received the “What Parents Want” Award from SchoolMatch, the nations largest school selection consulting firm. Academic standards and graduation requirements are among the highest in the state.

Student achievement, as measured by standardized test scores, is well above national and state standards in all subject areas. Local scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) show continual improvement each year and are above state averages at all grade levels. Composite SAT scores for the district are well above, and continue to rise faster, than state and national scores. The district also prides itself on the number of National Merit finalists and semifinalists that come from Alachua County Schools.

The needs of a diverse student body are addressed through many academic and vocational education programs. Enrichment and Magnet programs are available at the elementary and middle school levels for both gifted and talented students. High-achieving high school students may choose from a variety of accelerated program options, some offered in conjunction with Santa Fe Community College (SFCC). The Tech Prep programs, a cooperative effort of the School board, SFCC and the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, integrates academic and technical curricula, allowing students to meet graduation requirements while gaining technical skills in a career field of their choice, such as health, business and criminal justice. It has been recognized as one of the top Tech Prep programs in the nation.

The district leads the state in the percentage of instructional staff members holding advanced degrees (60%). Alachua County has established an innovative internship program to provide an opportunity for college graduates seeking a career change to become classroom teachers. In a collaborative effort with the University of Florida College of Education, graduates who are in careers other than education can complete a 13-month internship program to obtain a Master’s degree in elementary education.

The Alachua County school district leads the way in preparing students for a highly technological future. The nation’s first mobile technology lab was developed in Alachua County and allows local students to study core academic subjects through the use of some of the most advanced instructional technology available. Alachua county has also earned international recognition for its use of technology in the classroom. Advanced computer labs in the district’s elementary schools are teaching important skills to our area’s youngest students. State-of-the-art technology labs at both the middle and high school levels provide hands-on learning experiences in a number of high-tech fields, including engineering, hydraulics, and computer drafting.

Alachua County’s early education program is recognized as a nationwide model. The district offers an extensive preschool program in every elementary school, and provides training and resources to other public and private daycare programs. A variety of dropout prevention programs and services are offered at all grade levels. The district has also implemented a comprehensive strategic planning process to determine the strategies and actions it will utilize to insure continued success in providing the highest quality education to all Alachua County students. Working together, the schools, the parents, and the community are making education a priority in Alachua County.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Alachua County School District serves more than 30,000 students in 44 schools and centers – 24 elementary, eight middle, seven high, two special education centers, one alternative middle/high school center and one vocational adult education facility.

Statistics

• Population
  • Number of Schools 41
  • Number of Students 28,227
  • Number of Graduates approximately 1,373
• 1995 Graduation Rate 76%
  • Average Daily Attendance 93%
  • School District Bond Ratings:
    • Moody’s Aaa
    • Standard & Poor’s AAA
• 1995 Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
  • Alachua County graduates 47%
  • National average 41%
• High School Competency Rate
  • Communications 94% passing
  • Math 83% passing

The district is regarded as one of the premier public school systems in Florida and is recognized for the depth of its educational programs and service. The school district leads the state in the percentage of instructional staff members holding advanced degrees (60%).

Special Alachua County School District Programs

• Preschool
  • All elementary schools have extensive preschool programs.
  • The district provides training resources to public and private day care operations.
• Vocational/Technical
  • Tech-Prep Program offers academic and technical curricula to help students meet the demands of tomorrow’s changing technology.
  • Technology Labs provide hands-on experience in technical fields including engineering, hydraulics and computer-aided drafting.
  • Skills for the 21st Century’s mobile advanced computer lab provides elementary students with valuable skills.
• Dropout Prevention Programs
  • VIP Program offers alternative education programs integrated with vocational or on-the-job training for unmotivated high school students.
  • ACCEPT (Alachua County Continuing Education for Pregnant Teens) enables students to continue their education and plan for their future.
    

PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Number of Schools approximately 15
Number of Students approximately 1,500
Number of Graduates approximately 150

HOME SCHOOLING
Home schooling, the practice of teaching children in the home, is also an option for Alachua County parents. There are several home schooling support groups in Alachua County to meet the needs of each family. Alachua County’s home schoolers were the first in the state to have access to public schools on a part-time basis. Today, many home schoolers participate in chemistry, sports, band, ROTC and other extracurricular programs.

COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

The University of Florida
The University of Florida is the state’s oldest, largest and most comprehensive university and is recognized as one of the most academically diverse of the nation’s public universities.

UF has 21 colleges and schools and more than 100 research, service and education centers, bureaus and institutes. The university is a member of the Association of American Universities, the prestigious higher education organization comprised of the top 58 public and private institutions in North America.

Florida ranks fourth among public universities and eighth among all universities in the number for freshman National Merit Scholars attending. The university also is among the nation’s 88 leading research universities as categorized by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.

Santa Fe Community College
Santa Fe Community College is considered one of the nation’s best community colleges. It is a charter member of the League for Innovation in the Community College, a group of only 18 community college districts in 14 states and Canada.

SFCC students may earn their associates of arts degree for transfer to a university or they may graduate from one of more than 50 technology and applied science programs.

Santa Fe’s associate of science program consists of technology and applied sciences courses that prepare students for careers in skilled professions. These include programs in accounting and other business areas, medical specialties such as nursing, paramedic training, business and technical specialties.

City College
City College offers various vocational programs including word processing, data entry, business accounting and legal assistant programs in addition to its associate of science programs. The college is accredited by the Association of Independent College and Schools as a business school.