“I’M COMING HOME”

Bcps Selects Peter Licata As New Superintendent

Broward County Public School Board (BCPS) announced the selection of Dr. Peter Licata as its next superintendent. The country’s sixth-largest school district announced the selection after a nationwide search. Licata is set to be in place prior to the start of the 2023/24 school year. He was selected via a 7-2 board vote. East Baton Rouge Louisiana School District Superintendent Dr. Sito Narcisse received the other two votes.

BCPS Board Chair Lori Alhadeff announced the selection, saying, “I am so excited to introduce the next superintendent of Broward County Public Schools, Dr. Peter Licata. I believe he is the transformational leader that we were seeking.”

By joining BCPS, Licata is coming full circle, returning to the school district where he was once a first-grade student at McNab Elementary School in Pompano Beach.

“I’m coming home. We will change Broward County to an A (school district),” Dr. Licata said, “We are down the street from where I was born and where my wife was born.

I feel like a fortunate son to be able to do this.”

Licata began his almost 30-year career in education as a teacher and basketball coach for the School District of Palm Beach County and has continued to advance his leadership career – most recently holding the position of South Region Superintendent. In this role, he oversees 60 schools, 65,000 students, more than 5,000 teachers and four instructional superintendents.

Licata comes from a family of teachers and was inspired to pursue his career by his father.

“It was at my father’s funeral, when thousands of people came to me to say what an impact, as coach and algebra teacher, my father had on their lives. That day I became a teacher.” Licata said during his public remarks at the school board’s public interview.

Licata’s experience includes 15 years of teaching and leading at the middle and high school levels, and 14 years at the district-leadership level as Director of Secondary Curriculum and Assistant Superintendent, before becoming a regional superintendent.

“Our goal has remained to find the most qualified candidate to lead our schools while maintaining our dedication to excellence in education and to preparing our students to reach their highest potential,” Alhadeff commented. “We are excited to welcome Dr. Licata to Broward County Public Schools.”

During the interview process, the new superintendent laid out his vision to get the school system to become an ‘A’ district.

“It’s my vision and mission that every child that starts school at BCPS has an experience as memorable as mine with the same opportunities. I know being born and raised in Broward County doesn’t automatically qualify me as the best candidate, but I believe it gives me a unique perspective and knowledge of the county… Broward County is where I was born, raised, married, and I now want to make it the best educational system in all of Florida as superintendent.”

PRESCHOOLS/SCHOOLS

A World of Knowledge

750 NW 180th Terrace, Pembroke Pines worldofknowledgekids.com

954-430-7707

A World of Knowledge offers top academic excellence in early childhood education. Through a unique curriculum designed especially for the school, the children graduating from the program achieve high scores in assessments and screenings.

Academic School 4 Arts

8673 Stirling Rd, Cooper City

954-999-5956

Academic School 4 Arts i s a learning institution that nurtures the whole child, utilizing the gifts of the fine and performing arts. The fine and performing arts are treated as equal learning disciplines with core academics. AS4A promotes mindfulness, problem-solving skills, independent thinking, and celebration of diversity. We help mold great citizens!

Apple Tree Montessori School

6301 SW 160th Ave, Southwest Ranches appletreemont.com

954-252-9250

Apple Tree Montessori School is a PreK-8 school that uses the Montessori method to encourage independence and freedom with limits and responsibility. It also allows for the child to grow independently and encourages the self-absorption. Students have been encouraged to exchange ideas and to discuss their work freely with others by using good communication skills to ease the way in their new setting.

Beth Emet School is committed to helping students reach their full potential through a challenging, advanced curriculum with a warm, supportive environment that promotes critical thinking, creative expression, self-esteem, emotional learning and Jewish ethics.

Everglades Academy

6941 SW 196th Ave Suite 21-A, Pembroke Pines eavpk.com

954-434-8884

Everglades Academy offers preschool learning and child care services, including preschool (from infants to 5 years old) care, VPK, after school programs and summer camps. It offers a safe, loving and attentive infant care, as well as a structured age appropriate curriculum.

Franklin Academy

18800 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines franklin-academy.org

954-703-2294

Franklin Academy creates a learning atmosphere where differentiated instruction implements strategies that support student success within the classroom. They also constantly enhance student skills that are essential for success beyond the classroom walls, ensuring students are college and career ready.

Greentree Preparatory Charter School

6301 SW 160th Ave, Southwest Ranches cambridgepreschools.com

954-217-8566

Greentree Prep has a mission to prepare K-8 students for high academic achievement and personal success. The school was designated as one of the top 3 performing schools in Broward County according to FSA scores in 2014. Greentree Prep enrolls students in grades K-8.

Sagemont Preparatory School

1570 Sagemont Way, Weston sagemont.com

954-389-2454

Sagemont Preparatory School inspires academic excellence, through intellectual exploration, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Students in Pre-k through grade 12 are encouraged to take responsible risks and develop a deep understanding of social responsibility as active agents of change.

Beth Emet School

4807 S Flamingo Rd, Cooper City templebethemet.org

954-680-1882

Small World Montessori School

18461 Miramar Pkwy, Miramar swmontessori.com

954-544-2915

At Small World Montessori, they have over 20 years of experience instilling the self-discipline & skills necessary for children to achieve higher education while enhancing each child’s imagination and improving their quality of life. They have programs beginning with toddlers through age 6, including summer programs.

St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Pre-School

601 N Hiatus Rd, Pembroke Pines stmax.cc

954-885-7250

St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Pre-School offers a curriculum that provides for the developmental needs of all children. They create opportunities for learning by providing a loving, Christian environment.

ACTIVITIES & ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT

Academy of Arts

20841 Johnson St #113, Pembroke Pines academyofartsinc.com

954-704-0068

In the warm, caring environment of Academy of Arts, every student is special. Nurturing their love of the arts, by creating a class filled with positive learning experiences your child will be challenged in areas where his/her growing body and mind can benefit most. Academy of Arts teaches classes in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop, Flamenco, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Drama, Art, Violin, Guitar, Piano, Voice for preschoolers through adults.

Broadway Kids Studio

9042 W State Rd 84, Davie broadwaykidsstudio.com

954-693-7500

Broadway Kids Studio’s after school program offers kids 15 different acting and performing arts programs to choose from. The program is available to students ages 5 through 18.

Broward Tutorial Services

5400 S University Dr #503, Davie browardtutorialservices.com

954-667-6500

Since 2004, Broward Tutorial Services has provided professional small group and one-on-one tutoring to help students attain their highest score on the SAT and/or ACT exams. Students are taught skills to help manage the test, understand the questions, maximize what they know, eliminate mistakes, and recognize and avoid test traps.

Code Ninjas

5534 S Flamingo Rd, Cooper City codeninjas.com

954-323-4555

Code Ninjas teaches kids ho to code by building their very own video games. Their flexible coding programs for kids make it easy for parents. They offer flexible dropin hours after school and on weekends. With programs for kids as young as five there is something for every aspiring computer scientist in your family.

Camp Lingua

4700 SW 160th Ave, Southwest Ranches camplingua.com

954-642-2267

Camp Lingua offers an after-school language program that uses a proven natural, multi-sensory approach, delivered by professional educators who utilize engaging materials, ensuring students’ success in the acquisition and mastery of a new language. It also offers customized tutoring tailored to the student’s proficiency level, learning style, and schedule.

Coral Reef Gymnastics

15851 SW 41st St #100, Weston coralreefgymnastics.com

954-430-1530

Coral Reef Gymnastics provides gymnastics programs for all levels from Beginner to Elite in a positive and nurturing environment. They offer gymnastics programs for children as young as two through competitive team, as well as tumbling, dance, and martial arts classes. Its afterschool program includes school pick-up.

Karate America Miramar

14447 Miramar Pkwy, Miramar kidmartialartsinflorida.com

954-436-5535

The #1 ranked school for over 35 years teaching Karate, Martial Arts, Self-Defense and Taekwondo while building self-confidence, self-control, respect, loyalty, perseverance and self-esteem.

Broward

County Public Schools