At the School Board Meeting of May 13, 2026, School Board Member Luisa Santos proffered agenda item B-3, recognizing 2026 Academic Scholarship Signing and College and Career Decision Day. Since 2010, Florida has observed the third Tuesday in April as Academic Scholarship Signing Day to honor high-achieving students. Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has expanded this via School Board Policy 5451 into College and Career Decision Day, a broader celebration encompassing all post-secondary paths, including university enrollment and career certification programs. To support this mission, the Division of Student Services provides training and resources to administrators and College Assistance Program (CAP) advisors. This initiative is guided by the 2026 Framework for Post-Secondary Success, which helps students align their academic goals with career aspirations while offering families the tools needed to navigate the transition into higher education or the workforce.
M-DCPS’ commitment to student readiness is reflected in its statewide leadership in FAFSA completion. The Class of 2025 achieved a 65% completion rate, while the Class of 2026 is already at 52.9%. These achievements have earned the district the top spot in the Florida College Access Network’s FAFSA Challenge, solidifying its position as a leader in post-secondary preparation. The School Board recognized Jeffery Gerald from North Miami Senior High School, Ibrahim Gowon from Miami Central Senior High School, Vincent Ng from MAST@FIU Senior High School, Maggie Cardenache from Hialeah Senior High School, Sofia Fernandez from the School for Advanced Studies (SAS) West Campus, Harmony Henderson from Miami Coral Park Senior High School, Bridget Martinez from Miami Senior High School, Zianni Jean from South Dade Senior High School, and Gavin Linton from Miami Palmetto Senior High School.
The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, celebrates all students and their pathways to post-secondary education and acknowledges the support networks within their school communities that provide students and families clear guidance, strong support, and vital information and resources to help them reach their educational goals.
To read the full item, visit: https://luisasantos.com/our-impact
As written in South Dade Spotlight