2024-25 POCKET GUIDE
KALEB PRIESTER
Jones
High ‘25
SCHOOL BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY
OCPS is led by an eight-member school board. Seven are elected from single-member districts. The chair is elected countywide. All board members serve staggered, four-year terms. The superintendent is appointed by the school board.
Teresa Jacobs Chair
Anne Douglas District 4
Angie Gallo District 1
Vicki-Elaine Felder District 5
Maria Salamanca District 2
Stephanie Vanos District 6
Alicia Farrant District 3
Melissa Byrd District 7
F. Vazquez Ed.D. Superintendent
Maria
ABOUT
ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Vision: To ensure every student has a promising and successful future
Mission: With the support of families and the community, we create enriching and diverse pathways to lead our students to success
Values: Collaboration Equity Inclusion Innovation Integrity Respect
WHAT MAKES OCPS DIFFERENT?
Market Differentiators:
Highest Quality Academic, Arts and Extracurricular Activities
State-of-the-Art Facilities
largest school district in the nation
largest district in Florida
Innovators in Digital Learning
Recognized for Operational Excellence and Community Support
Leader in Career and Technical Education
Extensive Choices and Unique Learning Opportunities
Transparent and Accountable to Our Stakeholders
Embrace and Celebrate a Diverse Community
Awards
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.
Thirteen OCPS magnet programs honored with Merit Awards by Magnet Schools of America.
Three schools were named 2024 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools. The district was named the 2024 Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation.
ACHIEVEMENTS
For the 2024-25 school year, more than 203,000 digital devices have been distributed.
In 2024, 122 graduating seniors from 21 of our traditional high schools were accepted into U.S. News & World Report’s top-20-ranked universities or liberal arts colleges or received appointments to a U.S. service academy.
Thirty-four students from 11 high schools were chosen as winners in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program. The organization also selected 10 semi-finalists from seven high schools.
GRADUATION RATES
OCPS continues to outperform the state average for graduating seniors.
Traditional District Schools
*includes charter and alternative schools
STUDENT ENROLLMENT
* Includes Pre-K
** As of Oct. 15, 2024
# Total does not include charters
We proudly serve a diverse student population from 199 countries who speak 176 languages or dialects. The top five languages are English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian-Creole and Creole.
STUDENT
DEMOGRAPHICS
For the 2024-25 school year, 102 OCPS schools or programs are designated as Title I schools, which receive federal funds to help at-risk students in high-poverty areas.
In 2023-24, 8,683 students were classified as homeless.
EMPLOYEES
The Orange County school system is one of Central Florida’s largest employers.
Teachers make up 57% of the OCPS workforce.
40.7% of OCPS teachers have advanced degrees:
37.6% have master’s degrees, and 3.14% specialist or doctorate degrees.
Approximately 71% of the general fund (operating budget) is used for salaries and benefits.
*Includes district-level instructional, noninstructional and school-level administrators
** As of Oct. 11, 2024.
TEACHER SALARIES
Beginning teachers earn a $49,475 base salary. The average pay for OCPS teachers is $59,809.
The school board contributes an average additional $25,044 per teacher for benefits: $8,152 for retirement, $4,575 for FICA, $10,555 for health insurance, $1,720 for other benefits and $42 for life insurance.
Advanced degree supplements (added to base salary):
MAGNET PROGRAMS
Our 41 magnet programs provide a challenging and stimulating environment for learning that enables students with special talents and interests to gain knowledge and skills in their areas of interest.
Elementary
Advanced Curriculum
Academy
Hungerford
Aviation and Aerospace
Sally Ride
Foreign Language Academy
Hillcrest
Orlando Gifted Academy
Grades 2-8
STEAM Career Academy
Bay Meadows
STEM Magnet
Orange Center
Two-Way Dual Language
Hunter’s Creek, Tildenville,
Union Park
Visual and Performing Arts
Maxey
Middle Academy of Arts
Howard 6-8 Option
Arbor Ridge
Cambridge Middle
School Academy
Liberty
Center for the Advancement of Science and Engineering
Lockhart
Middle Years
International Baccalaureate
Roberto Clemente
Two-Way Dual Language
Hunter’s Creek
World Language Academy
Lakeview
High
3DE by Junior Achievement
Oak Ridge
Academy of Culinary Arts
Wekiva
Advanced Engineering Applications
Apopka
Agriscience Academy
Wekiva
Aviation and Aerospace Engineering
Oak Ridge
Cambridge Program
Colonial
Center for Future Educators
Edgewater
Center for International Studies
Dr. Phillips
Criminal Justice, Law & Finance
Boone
Digital Media and Gaming
Oak Ridge
Engineering, Science and Technology
Edgewater
Entertainment Production
and Management Academy
Evans
First Responders Academy
East River
Hospitality Management
Oak Ridge
International
Baccalaureate
Diploma Programme
Cypress Creek, Evans, Jones and University
Medical Jones
Medical Careers
Apopka
NAF Information Technology
Colonial Performing Fine Arts
University
Veterinary Animal
Science and Service
Colonial
Visual and Performing Arts
Dr. Phillips
AP ACHIEVEMENTS
During the 2023-24 school year, 192 students earned the Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma and 57 students earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.
A total of 4,841 students were designated as AP Scholars for passing at least three AP courses with a score of 3 or above.
ARTS ENROLLMENT
OCPS had the highest percentage of students enrolled in performing and visual arts among the five-largest school districts in the state of Florida.
Visual and Performing Arts: 69%
Music: 57%
Visual Arts: 55%
Dance: 6%
Theatre: 6%
CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
Orange Technical College is one of Central Florida’s leading providers of comprehensive secondary and postsecondary technical education, serving more than 60,976 at the district’s seven technical college campuses, 23 high schools, 38 middle schools various community learning sites.
Graduates can also earn future college credits in most CTE programs, as well as valuable work experience for immediate employment in various technical fields.
2023-24
• 65 programs
• 1,438 graduates
• 9,198 industry certificates earned by secondary students
DUAL ENROLLMENT
Through dual enrollment, high school juniors and seniors take postsecondary coursework with their academic studies. Students simultaneously earn credit toward high school completion and industry certification in their field of study.
The Class of 2024 included 286 graduating seniors who received their diploma and earned their associate degree from Valencia College.
OCPS OPERATIONS
Food & Nutrition Services
OCPS operates one of the largest food systems in Central Florida, serving more than meals a year or more than 221,000 meals
Beginning in 2023-24, all meals are provided to students at no cost under the Community Eligibility Provision.
Food Recovery
Education, training and school-based activities have increased participation in waste reduction programs by over 28% from last year. Last year, our school campuses composted or recovered more than 314,000 pounds of food.
TRANSPORTATION
Serving more than 53,000 students, OCPS operates the largest public-transportation system in Central Florida. In compliance with Florida Administrative Rule 6A.3, transportation is provided to students who live two miles or more from their zoned school.
OCPS operates 528 buses. These buses traveled 12.8 million miles throughout the year.
During the 2023-24 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-by-turn 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 last year. Bus riders 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.
GREEN SCHOOLS
Sustainability
Solar Energy
In 2024, the 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 2014, 75 schools awards and recognitions by participating in sustainable activities and programs. More than $195,000 has been distributed to support and recognize sustainability efforts at OCPS schools.
FACILITIES
Since 2003, the district has opened 68 new schools. Funding has been provided for another 136 schools to be renovated or replaced. Over the next five years, the district plans to open seven new schools, including six elementary and one high school. Approximately $802 million in budgeted Capital Improvement school projects were, are or will be in construction during the Fiscal Year 2024. This includes nearly $267 million for new relief projects and nearly $535 million for the replacement or renovation of existing schools. Though the full value of project budgets is accounted for, some projects may be in the construction phase for more than a single year.
OPERATING REVENUE SOURCES
Total Operating Revenue Sources
2024-25 BUDGET
General Fund $2,833,538,264
Used for salaries and benefits; utility costs; maintenance expenses; supplies and equipment. Includes carry-forwards.
Operating costs per student: $9,537
Special Revenue Fund
$337,127,090
Used for food service, federal and other grant projects.
Debt Service Fund
$248,358,026
Capital Projects Fund
$3,465,317,454 Internal Service Fund $417,135,131
Used for the repayment of bonds and loan debts.
Used for new construction, land, renovation and remodeling.
Used for the accounting of money held by the school board for self-insured health costs, property/ casualty claims and printing services operations.
WHERE YOUR DOLLAR GOES
Of this year’s $2.41 billion operating budget, excluding carry-forwards, $1.84 billion (76.4%) is earmarked for schools, centers that serve students with special needs and schools managed by district instructional departments.
78¢ is spent on teaching, transporting, supervising and counseling students
7¢ is spent on library materials, staff training and curriculum development
11¢ is spent on acquiring, operating and maintaining school facilities
4¢ is spent on central and fiscal services, general administration and district technology
2024-25 MILLAGE
A mill = $1 of taxes for every $1,000 of the taxable value of a property.
Required Local Effort: Set by the Florida Legislature. School districts must levy this amount in order to receive state funding.
Basic Discretionary: Maximum set by the state and school district’s decision to levy.
Additional Voted: Approved by Orange County voters in August 2022 and in effect through June 2027.
Capital Improvement: Used to build and renovate schools. The maximum levy is set by the state.
SCHOOL TAXES
What the owner of a $319,500 home with a $25,000 homestead exemption will pay in school taxes this year (compared to last year):
Assessed Value: $319,500
Homestead Exemption: - $25,000
Taxable Value: $294,500
2023-24
6.421 (Mill rate) x $294,500
$1,891
2024-25
6.464 (Mill rate) x $294,500 Increase of .043
$1,904
Total change in taxes (assuming no change in assessed value of home) Increase of $13
YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK
Orange County voter-approved tax-dollar programs benefit our students.
One-mill
A one-mill property tax was approved by voters in 2010, re-approved in 2014, 2018 and 2022, and expires in June 2027. It pays for essential operating expenses, including compensating teachers and support staff, preserving academic programs, arts, athletics and student activities; and also supports charter schools. In Fiscal Year 2023-24, $219.8 million was generated to support the district’s needs.
Sales Tax
A half-cent sales tax was passed by voters in 2002, re-approved in 2014 and 2024. The monies pay to renovate or replace aging schools, acquire sites, provide new digital technology in classrooms and fund capital renewal. From January 2003 through October 2024, sales tax collections totaled more than $4.6 billion.
THE FLORIDA LOTTERY
Florida voters approved the lottery in 1986 on the premise that its revenues would be used to enhance education. Although the Florida Lottery continues to provide resources to education, the portion going to public schools has diminished over the years.
During its early years, 60-70% of lottery dollars going to education was for public schools. That number is now only 43%, none of which is for educational enhancement. Of the money going to public education, 89% is part of general per-pupil funding and 11% is for post-secondary programs.
GRANT FUNDING
OCPS monitored compliance for more than in grant funding during the 2023-24 school year in support of special projects. The funding represents local, state, federal and foundation grant awards generated through the efforts of OCPS teachers and district leaders in collaboration with numerous community partners.
The OCPS Parent Academy 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 2023-24 school year, the district held in-person and virtual sessions for 12,879 parents/caregivers.
OCPS also employs 83 school-based Parent Engagement Liaisons to improve the ties between parents, schools and the community.
PARENT ACADEMY/ COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
FOUNDATION FOR OCPS
The Foundation for OCPS invests in our children today to strengthen our community tomorrow. The Foundation raised or managed approximately $5.2 million for the benefit of OCPS students, teachers, staff, schools and programs in 2023-24. The value of its invested funds as of June 30 was $5.3 million.
Through ADDitions volunteering opportunities, family and community members work with their chosen school(s) to meet needs in ways that match their interests. In 2023-24, school volunteers contributed more than 379,637 hours.
Partners in Education businesses and organizations strengthen schools by providing expertise, volunteer hours, financial resources and products. OCPS had 5,151 business community partners in 2023-24, whose support equated to more than $5.4 million in additional school resources.
IN EDUCATION Partners
5,151 Business Partners
76,533 Volunteers
445 W. Amelia St., Orlando, FL 32801
407.317.3200
www.ocps.net
Prepared by the OCPS Public Relations Department
The School Board of Orange County, Florida, 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 West 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)