OUR SCHOOL BOARD
Teresa Jacobs Chair
Angie Gallo Vice Chair | District 1
Maria Salamanca District 2
Alicia Farrant District 3
Pam Gould District 4
Vicki-Elaine Felder District 5
Karen Castor Dentel District 6
Melissa Byrd District 7
Maria F. Vazquez, Ed.D. Superintendent
Dear Orange County Residents:
It has been a great honor to represent you as Chair of the Orange County School Board since 2018. I am immensely proud to share with you the accomplishments of our students, teachers and administrators in our 2023-24 Annual Report.
A top priority of our board and superintendent was to continue to increase salaries for our teachers, instructional staff, support staff, and school administrators with a historic 9% average raise. Still, salaries fall far short of our employees’ value and the crucial role teachers play in the lives of our students. Unlike cities and counties, funding for public education in Florida is by the state, not the school districts.
We’re also drawing to a close on the era of funding related to COVID-19 learning loss. So many of our precious students fell behind in the wake of the pandemic. And while that funding will run out in 2025, our work to address learning deficits will continue. We will take the lessons we have learned using the $850 million in federal ESSER dollars to keep student performance improving and our district adapting.
We have extended these efforts in the area of mental health supports for our students. The school board found funding in our budget to maintain several hundred new mental health positions funded with temporary ESSER dollars. We know it is essential to support student resilience.
We are also asking voters in November 2024 to help us continue to address school construction and maintenance needs for another decade. The extension of our half-cent sales tax, in place since 2002, is necessary to ensure the safety and structural integrity of our schools.
As the eighth-largest school district in the nation and the fourth-largest in Florida, our future will be shaped by the success of our students, which would not be possible without your unwavering support.
Sincerely,
Teresa Jacobs Chair
School Board of Orange County
Dear Community Members:
I’m so proud of the hard work of our nearly 208,000 students and more than 24,000 employees during the 2023-24 school year. Their effort was recognized with an “A” grade for Orange County Public Schools from the state.
You’ll see excellence reflected throughout this Annual Report, but there are a few things that stand out to me about this year:
• OCPS was named the 2023 Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) District of the Year Award for expanding access to the advanced learning program.
• Dommerich, Sally Ride and Zellwood elementary schools were designated as 2024 Green Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education for including environmentally-friendly practices into the school day and extracurricular programs.
Since 2014, nine OCPS schools have received this prestigious award.
• Largely due to a pilot program with 21 schools, OCPS diverted 314,765 pounds of food from entering the landfill through composting and food recovery.
• And I’m thrilled that my little YouTube program, Mondays with Maria, received Bronze Telly and Hometown Media Awards, as well as a National School Public Relations Association’s Golden Achievement Award.
• In addition, Magnet Schools of America honored 13 of our district magnet programs for demonstrating a commitment to high academic standards, innovation, excellent faculty and parent and community involvement.
• The district was again named as one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation.
I am proud of how our schools provide a variety of pathways so every learner can succeed. We wouldn’t be able to do it without our employees and the support of our community. I look forward to the difference we will make for our students in 2024-25 and beyond.
Sincerely,
Maria F. Vazquez, Ed.D Superintendent Orange County Public Schools
To ensure every student has a promising and successful future
With the support of families and the community, we create enriching and diverse pathways to lead our students to success
Collaboration
Equity Inclusion Innovation Integrity Respect
High Expectations for Student Learning
Support of Student Resiliency
Dedicated and High-Quality Team
Positive Climate and Safe Environment
Efficient Operations
Engaged and Invested Community
174 LANGUAGES AND DIALECTS
2022-23 GRADUATION RATE
8TH 4TH
OUR SCHOOLS 2023-2024
OUR DISTRICT
∙ 24,685 employees - OCPS is the 5th-largest employer in Central Florida.
• More than 203,000 digital devices provided to students.
• 40 million meals - or 221,000 meals per day - served in 2023-24, with all meals provided at no charge.
WHERE YOUR DOLLAR GOES
78¢ Teaching, transporting, supervising and counseling students
7¢ Library materials, staff training and curriculum development
11¢ Acquiring, operating and maintaining school facilities
4¢ Central and fiscal services, general administration and district technology
STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT LEARNING
EXPECTATIONS
ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS is deeply invested in student success. We ensure all students receive the education and skills needed for college or a career after graduation.
During the 2023-2024 school year, OCPS provided students with educational opportunities and continued to see our students shine and achieve academic excellence, including:
ARTS ENROLLMENT
OCPS had the highest percentage of students participating in visual and performing arts among the five-largest school districts in the state of Florida. The numbers below indicate the total percentage of OCPS students enrolled in each type of arts coursework:
Visual and Performing Arts: 69%
Music: 57%
Visual Art: 55%
Dance: 6%
Theatre: 6%
CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION / ORANGE TECHNICAL COLLEGE
students
programs
technical college campuses, 22 high schools, 38 middle schools
industry certificates earned by secondary students
DUAL ENROLLMENT
The Class of 2024 included 286 graduating seniors who received their diploma and earned their associate’s degree from Valencia College.
In addition, 307 members of the Class of 2024 were dual-enrollment graduates who were enrolled in Orange Technical College or other Career and Technical Education programs.
STUDENT LEARNING
MAGNET PROGRAMS
The district’s 41 magnet programs, which include 24 at high schools, 7 at middle schools and 10 at elementary schools, provide opportunities for students to engage in intensive study in specific topics at their school. Students also have a chance to discover their talents and explore their interests while focusing on academic rigor.
High school magnets provide unique, personalized learning that focuses on interests, talents or career goals while aiming to increase student achievement. Middle and elementary magnets provide schoolchildren with opportunities to engage and participate in challenging, educational experiences.
Magnet Schools of America honored 13 OCPS magnet programs with Merit Awards for demonstrating a commitment to high academic standards; curriculum innovation; diversity efforts; specialized teaching faculty; and parent and community involvement.
2024 Schools of Excellence
• Dr. Phillips High: Visual and Performing Arts
2024 Schools of Distinction
• Arbor Ridge K-8: 6-8 Option
• Bay Meadows Elementary: STEAM Career Academy
• Boone High: Criminal Justice, Finance and Law
• Dr. Phillips High: Center for International Studies
• Howard Middle School Academy of Arts
• Hunter’s Creek Elementary: Two-Way Dual Language
• Lakeview Middle: World Language Academy
• Liberty Cambridge Middle School Academy
• Orlando Gifted Academy
• Roberto Clemente Middle: International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme
• Tildenville Elementary: Two-Way Dual Language
• University High: International Baccalaureate Programme
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
During the 2023-24 school year, the National Merit Scholarship Program selected 36 students from 11 high schools as 2024 National Merit Scholars and recognized 10 semifinalists from 7 high schools based on top PSAT scores.
AP SCHOLARS
The number of AP Scholar Awards continued to increase.
2,588 AP Scholars
878 AP Scholars with Honor
1,375 AP Scholars with Distinction
4,841 total AP Scholar Awards
249 students earned AP Capstone Diplomas or AP Seminar Certificates
SUPER SCHOLARS
Super Scholars for 2023-24 included 122 graduating seniors from 21 of our traditional high schools who were accepted in the U.S. News & World Report’s top-20 ranked universities and colleges and our nation’s military-service academies.
SCHOOL AND DISTRICT GRADES
• Orange County Public Schools earned an “A” grade for 2024 from the Florida Department of Education.
• The number of “A” traditional schools in OCPS continues to rise, with traditional schools earning an “A” in 2023-24, compared with
• The percentage of traditional schools earning an “A” or “B” this year increased to 69%, compared to 62% in 2022-23.
• The percentage of traditional schools earning an “A,” “B” or “C” was
• No schools in OCPS received a school grade of “F.”
VOLUNTARY PREKINDERGARTEN
OCPS provides parents with an opportunity to enroll their children in our Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program, which is designed to prepare kids for kindergarten by focusing on early reading, writing, math and social skills.
During the 2023-2024 school year, there were The program offers high-quality, stimulating and developmentally appropriate education.
STUDENT LEARNING
ATHLETICS
Athletics programs provide students with a sense of belonging and an opportunity to excel.
2023-2024 Champions
FHSAA State Champions
‣ Boys Tennis - Boone High
‣ Boys Tennis - Lake Buena Vista High
‣ Boys Volleyball - Winter Park High
‣ Boys Wrestling - Olympia High
‣ Competition Cheer - West Orange
‣ Competition Cheer - Winter Park High
‣ Girls Basketball - Dr. Phillips High
‣ Girls Swimming - Lake Buena Vista High
‣ Girls Tennis - Apopka High
‣ Girls Tennis - Lake Nona High
‣ Girls Water Polo - Timber Creek High
Bowling
‣ Girls Bowling - East River High
Diving
‣ Boys Diving - Boone High
‣ Boys Diving - Lake Buena Vista High
Swimming
‣ Boys 200 Freestyle and 500 Freestyle - Windermere High
‣ Boys 50 Freestyle - Windermere High
‣ Boys 200 Freestyle Relay - Windermere High
‣ Girls 200 Freestyle Relay - Windermere High
‣ Girls 100 Fly - Windermere High
‣ Girls 500 Freestyle - Boone High
‣ Girls 50 Freestyle - Winter Park High
Track
‣ Girls Long Jump - Olympia High
Florida High School ESports FASA PlayVS State Champions
‣ Dr. Phillips High ESports
‣ Timber Creek High ESports
‣ Windermere High ESports
SUPPORT OF STUDENT RESILIENCY
This objective aims to help students develop character, including self-awareness, self-management, resiliency, responsible decision-making, relationship skills and conflict resolution.
INITIATIVES
• Provided five hours of state-required secondary Resilience, Civic and Character Education and Life Skills instruction, including:
‣ Two district-wide Resiliency Days
‣ Resiliency and Life Skills integration through the Social Studies curriculum
‣ Red Ribbon Week
‣ Canvas course on Resiliency, including mental-health resources for students in grades 6-12
• Offered Second Step digital curriculum for weekly elementary resilience, civic and character education, life skills and wellness lessons
• Provided state-mandated Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training for OCPS personnel
RESULTS
• OCPS exceeded the state requirement that 80% of school personnel be trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid by July 1, 2024.
• One-hundred percent of secondary schools participated in Resiliency Days.
RESOURCES
• The “OCPS Supports” initiative has reduced service gaps for families and directed them to the appropriate services based upon their needs.
• Community Connect, available on the OCPS website, helps families find social services and community resources. Between July 2023 and June 2024, there were 55,335 platform users. Top searches include counseling, food and housing.
WELLNESS AND RESILIENCE
OCPS supports activities to engage the student body in learning life skills that promote drug-free and bully-free communities, where students treat each other with respect and empathy, and are encouraged to express kindness and gratitude.
• Red Ribbon Week – Drug-free living
• Bullying Prevention Awareness Month – Bullying prevention for a safe learning community
• Unity Day – Supporting community members
• Start with Hello Week – Welcoming new community members
• Random Acts of Kindness Week – Being thankful and sharing with others
DEDICATED AND HIGH-QUALITY TEAM
OCPS is proud of our staff for all their accomplishments and leading our students to success.
OCPS’ HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
increased in-person and virtual recruitment efforts from 718 to 788 hours, exceeding the target of 740 hours.
Instructional staff, support employees and administrators also received historic salary increases averaging 9%.
DISTRICT AWARDS
NATIONAL RECOGNITIONS
OCPS received the 2023 Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) District of the Year Award in the large district category from the University of Cambridge for being committed to providing students with an opportunity to participate in the program and an excellent education experience.
The district was awarded the 2024 Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation. The award program highlights districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
“Mondays with Maria,” Superintendent Maria Vazquez’s weekly YouTube program that is part of The Slice: Positive News from OCPS, received Bronze Telly and Hometown Media Awards for its National School Lunch Week on-the-road segment. The program also won a National School Public Relations Association 2024 Golden Achievement Award.
TEAM
The Procurement Services Department received the 2023 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute. The recognition’s criteria measures innovation; professionalism; e-procurement; productivity; and leadership attributes of the procurement in function.
The department also received the 2023 Agency Advancement Award from the National Institute of Governmental Procurement for agencies that excel at implementing a procurement-related program or improvement process.
The Public Relations department received from the National School Public Relations Association:
Golden Achievement: Increasing engagement through video services and the superintendent talk show.
Awards of Excellence for the 2023-2024 Pocket Guide, 2024-2025 Magnet Schools and Program Brochure, Benefits Bulletin, OCPS Stellar Customer Service Communication Guide and the Orange Peal.
An Honorable Mention for the 2024 Crystal Awards program.
Dommerich, Sally Ride and Zellwood
elementary schools were designated as 2024 Green Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. Dommerich was recognized for integrating energy lessons into the curriculum. Sally Ride received the accolade for having its students participate in various green-energy labs and workshops and Zellwood was recognized for creating its after-school program’s Green Thumb Club that grew and took care of the crops in its vegetable garden. Since 2014, nine OCPS schools have received this prestigious award.
REGIONAL RECOGNITIONS
Procurement Services received the 2024 Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials Award of Excellence in Public Procurement and the Best Practices Award. The awards recognize organizational excellence in procurement for agencies that meet or exceed benchmarks and best practices in the procurement profession.
McCoy Elementary was selected by the Florida Department of Education as a 2023 Purple Star School of Distinction for providing military students and families with resources to transition to a new school and hosting activities.
INTERNAL GREEN AWARDS
Eight schools received the Environmental Compliance and Sustainability Department’s Energy Star Award for their energy-conservation efforts:
Audubon Park School
Frangus Elementary
Hamlin Middle
Horizon West Middle
Maxey Elementary
OCPS Academic Center for Excellence
Pine Hills Elementary
Union Park Elementary
Vista Pointe Elementary
PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR
Becky Watson East River High
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR
Charisse Hurdle
Rolling Hills Elementary
SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR
Rina Santiago Evans High
TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Sara Hudson Prairie Lake Elementary
Superintendent Maria F. Vazquez, Ed.D. received the National School Public Relations Association’s 2023 Superintendents to Watch, Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando and Prospera’s Don Quijote Excellence and Phi Delta Kappa Beta Xi Chapter’s Outstanding Leadership Awards.
Deputy Superintendent of Executive Services Bridget Williams was honored with The Fannie Lou Hamer Award from the Conference of National Black Churches.
DEDICATED AND HIGH-QUALITY TEAM
Michael Antmann and Abigail Mistretta, music teachers at Freedom High, received Blue Ribbon Division Awards by the National Band Association.
Charlene Cannon, music teacher at Horizon High, was recognized by Yamaha as a 2024 40 Under 40 Music Educator.
Lake Nona Middle music teacher Hannah Jennings was honored with the Oliver Hobbs Award by the Florida Bandmasters Association.
Media Specialists Brandi Gutch at Killarney Elementary; Jennifer Daniels at Sally Ride Elementary; Barbara Koziara at Winegard Elementary; Kelli Gensler at Meadow Woods Middle; and Nelly Lebron at Roberto Clemente Middle were awarded the 2023 Florida Power-Library School Award
Chief Financial Officer
Doreen Concolino received the PineApple Report Fiscal Management Award.
Cliff Long, Chief Executive Officer of the Orlando Regional REALTOR Association, is the recipient of the PineApple Report Corporate Partnerships Award for the organization’s partnership with OCPS.
EFFICIENT OPERATIONS
OCPS seeks to save money through operational efficiencies and cost reductions for reinvestment into classrooms.
SAVINGS
• Secured more than $32,287,782 in savings through rigorous contract negotiations and competitive sourcing strategies
• Received $316,448 in cash rebates from competitive procurement contracts.
• Recycled 521,421 pounds of electronic waste and 476,400 pounds of textbooks, diverting the items from the landfill.
• Returned $864,902 through the Owner Direct Purchase program, which allows OCPS to purchase materials for capital projects by taking advantage of its sales-tax exemption. An additional $22,370 was saved on capital renewal projects.
SUSTAINABILITY
Food Recovery
In August 2023, the Food and Nutrition Services, Environmental Compliance and Sustainability teams began working with 21 schools on composting food waste and recovery initiatives with the United States Department of Agriculture. Goals include decreasing methane-gas production by removing food waste from landfills and diverting excess food to composting and donations.
• During the 2023-2024 school year, OCPS diverted 314,765 pounds of food from entering the landfill through composting and food recovery. There was a 74% increase from the 2022-2023 school year as a result of the pilot program.
• The 21 schools in the program composted 187,800 pounds of food waste.
• School gardens diverted 1,161 pounds of food waste.
• As a result of 501(c)(3) partnerships, 125,804 pounds of food was donated. This amount is equivalent to Food and Nutrition Services feeding an additional 105,000 meals to our food-insecure communities. The pilot schools donated 32,313 pounds of food and 42 others donated 93,491 pounds
EFFICIENT OPERATIONS
SOLAR ENERGY
In the 2023-2024 school year, an equivalent of 120 schools were receiving 100% of their electric needs from a renewable energy source, thanks to the Duke Clean Energy Connections program.
GREEN SCHOOLS RECOGNITION PROGRAM
Since the start of the Green Schools Recognition Program in the 2014 school year, 76 schools across the district have participated, and including repeat applicants, 152 applications have been received overall. These schools conduct sustainable activities and programs throughout the year to compete against other schools for awards and recognitions. More than $195,000 in awards have been distributed to support and recognize OCPS Green Schools and their sustainability programs.
TRANSPORTATION
A total of 528 buses transported more than 53,000 students per day These buses traveled an astounding 12.8 million miles throughout the year.
During the 2023-2024 school year, Transportation Services began using tablets on school buses to provide drivers with up-to-date bus routes and student-ridership information. The tablets also provide audible turn-byturn directions for new drivers who may not be familiar with the area they are serving.
The department began using bus-rider ID cards for improving rider safety during a pilot program. Bus riders participating in the pilot were issued an ID card with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip for boarding and exiting their assigned bus and stop.
Transportation Services will be purchasing 20 additional electric school buses and charging stations thanks to a $5 million, United States Environmental Protection Agency Clean School Bus grant. The buses will be serving schools in the central and eastern areas of the district.
POSITIVE CLIMATE AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT
OCPS consistently works to improve school safety, including providing a safe learning and working environment for students, employees and visitors.
FACILITIES
One new school opened in 2023 - Water Spring Middle School.
OCPS opened 65 new schools between 2003 and 2023. Another 132 schools were renovated or replaced
An additional 33 schools or technical college campuses are scheduled to be built new, renovated or replaced in the next 10 years.
The capital renewal program started construction on 32 projects with a value of $258 million
For Fiscal Year 2024, there are currently 71 active projects in progress for improvements at 131 sites, with an estimated cost of $493 million.
The program completed 327 projects budgeted at approximately $409 million
SAFETY
• The District Police department hired a District Threat Management Coordinator to support schools in managing threats and concerning behaviors.
• Superintendent Maria F. Vazquez, Ed.D. authorized using ESSER funds to purchase Public Consulting Group EDPlan threat-assessment management software for the district’s threat-assessment teams, which include 2,769 school-based staff and school resource officers, to utilize an efficient and effective platform for completing threats-toothers and threats-to-self assessment training.
• Four randomly selected high schools participated in an OpenGate pilot program during the 2023-2024 school year. The enhanced weapons-detection system was designed to keep weapons and other unauthorized items out of schools.
• The District Police hired six full-time security screeners to conduct randomized weapon screenings and support enhanced security measures at school board meetings and schools.
• The department used SmartSheets to ensure compliance with requirements set forth by the Office of Safe Schools so all school-drill reports could be reviewed and have feedback provided for emergency-drill reports.
ENGAGED AND INVESTED COMMUNITY
INVESTED
Our community members provide essential assistance and resources to support our students and teachers.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
OCPS interacts with the community by sharing information on social media channels. About 75,000 followers enjoy our content on Facebook, an increase of 4,183 during the 2023-24 school year. Followers on X (formerly Twitter) went up by 779 to more than 23,000. And the district expanded our reach on Instagram to about 20,000 followers, an increase of 4,946 fans who appreciate our photos and videos.
COMMUNITY INPUT
OCPS provided 359 opportunities for stakeholders to provide feedback across all divisions of our organization, including 32 Superintendent Town Hall meetings and nine Advisory Council meetings.
FOUNDATION FOR OCPS
The Foundation for Orange County Public Schools invests in our children today to strengthen our community tomorrow. The organization’s mission is to identify, develop and focus community involvement and investment to lead our students to success.
The Foundation raised or managed approximately $5.2 million for the benefit of OCPS students, teachers, staff, schools and programs, a 22% increase over the previous year. The value of its invested funds as of June 30 was $5.3 million.
76,553 ADDitions volunteers, a 16% increase
379,637 volunteer hours logged (valued at $12 million)
5,151 Partners in Education (support equivalent to $5.4 million)
LEADERSHIP ORANGE
In 2023-24, 20 community members and the OCPS 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year completed Class XIII of Leadership Orange, which provided a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run a large urban school district.
ENGAGED AND INVESTED COMMUNITY
PARENT ACADEMY
The OCPS Parent Academy empowers, engages and educates families and caregivers by providing high-quality training sessions, resources and services.
The institute offers in-person conferences and fairs, the Welcome to OCPS! newcomer series, Lunch & Learn events on Facebook Live and virtual mini academies and multilingual storytelling nights.
During the 2023-2024 school year, the district held in-person and virtual sessions for 12,879 parents/caregivers
SCHOOL CHARITY RECYCLING PROGRAM
The Foundation for Orange County Public Schools has partnered with Charity Recycling Service since 2018. The recycling program keeps unwanted items out of landfills.
The company collects and purchases gently-used clothing and household items for nonprofit organizations from 178 OCPS schools and sites. The items are placed in white bins on OCPS campuses and weighed to determine how much is raised for each participating school.
During the 2023-2024 school year, OCPS sites collected 1,062,954 pounds of clothing and household items and raised $107,395.
The School Board of Orange County, Fla., does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities, on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other reason prohibited by law. The following individuals at the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center, 445 W. Amelia Street, Orlando, Florida 32801, attend to compliance matters: Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer & Title IX Coordinator: Keshara Cowans; ADA Coordinator: Jay Cardinali; Section 504 Coordinator: Tajuana Lee-Wenze. (407.317.3200)