For Immediate Release:   February 1, 2008

 

BPS Earns National Civic Star Award for Second Year

 

VIERA—Brevard Public Schools’ partnership to create the Melbourne High School Academy of Business and Finance has been selected as the Florida awardee for the 2008 National Civic Star Award. The American Association of School Administrators and Sodexho, Inc., present the recognition.

The National Civic Star Awards are bestowed on school districts that implement unique and creative methods to cultivate community partnerships that result in enriched student achievement. This is the second consecutive year that BPS has earned the honor, having been recognized in 2007 for its Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort.

“A decade ago, the Melbourne/Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee dedicated itself to exploring a meaningful partnership between Brevard Public Schools and the Space Coast business community that would better prepare high school students for the realities of the work world,” said Superintendent Dr. Richard A. DiPatri. “The result is a nationally recognized collaboration that is transforming teens into the responsible business leaders of tomorrow, built on ethics and civic engagement. We are pleased that this important academy program is flourishing, and are appreciative of our business partners who help make it a reality.”

More than 70 students annually participate in the program, supported by an estimated $500,000 investment from the private sector during the past decade. Of the students completing the Academy, 100 percent have graduated from high school and at least 95 percent continue to postsecondary studies each year.

The 2008 National Civic Star Awards will be presented at AASA’s National Conference on Education, Feb. 14-17, in Tampa. All state recipients along with the national winner will be recognized during both a conference general session and a special reception hosted by Sodexho.

The National Civic Star Award program recognizes that the vitality of a community is intricately linked to the success of its schools in educating children to be productive citizens. The program encourages the development of strong relationships between schools and community partners including individuals, businesses, civic groups and religious organizations.

                            

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