Why the Key Biscayne Education Foundation?
Demographics in our Village have shifted over the last two decades towards a much younger population, with an estimated 3,428 children in the 1 - 19 age group as of the end of 2008. Unfortunately, public education options have not kept pace with this trend.
The Key Biscayne Education Foundation was established in early 2008 by a group of parents and residents from the Village of Key Biscayne who share the desire of improving public school education and social development opportunities for residents of Key Biscayne, primarily children in K-12 grades. This non-profit 501(c)(3) organization is a collaborative effort that includes parents, local businesses, community and educational leaders. More.
What are the main issues we intent to resolve?
The growing number of our youngest children attending elementary school at our K-8 Center do so in an outdated facility. A 2008 structural study of the 3 Elementary buildings, commissioned by the school District, identifies significant issues and recommended their demolition and reconstruction. However, the deficiencies remain unsolved.
Our K-8 Center is overcrowded, by at least 22% (with a capacity for a total of 1,002 students, there were 1,247 students attending school as of Oct 23, 2010).
M-DCPS K - 8 configuration offers an inferior curriculum when compared to regular elementary and middle schools in the Miami-Dade school district.
Although the KB K-8 Center is rated as an "A" school by the Sunshine State Standards, its performance could be significantly improved. For instance, there are over 285 schools in the State of Florida scoring better on the FCAT than our children graduating from middle school, and the KB K-8 Center position in the State has been declining over the years.
Our high schoolers - estimated at over 800 - are asked to commute to Coral Gables Senior High School to attend the designated school - an unsafe, underperforming school and located 11 miles away from their community.
KB K-8 Center operates as an entity completely independent from the affairs of the community, without accountability to the community it serves and without giving the opportunity for children to experience a community and school connection.
What are the opportunities?
Improvement of teaching and learning conditions at our K-8 Elementary grades, by rebuilding the 50+ years old facilities that have not been properly maintained.
Improvement of curriculums in the elementary and middle school grades, commensurable with what other Miami-Dade schools offer in their elementary and middle schools.
Establishing a School and Community connection in the benefit of the children and the community as a whole, with opportunities for intergenerational programs.
Providing our high schoolers the opportunity to attend their senior years of their schooling in a community focused school - in or close to their community, where a school and community connection can be established. Updates
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