3 from Osceola among Best High School rankings
NeoCity Academy, Osceola County School for the Arts and Professional and Technical High School (PATHS) earned recognition among the top schools in Florida and the nation in this year’s edition of the annual U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools rankings.
NeoCity, thanks in part to its 100% participation rate for Advanced Placement subjects and innovative STEM classes that make students career-ready for 21st Century necessary jobs, was ranked second in Florida (only behind Pine View School in Sarasota County), 34th nationally, and at the top among Orlando Metro area schools.
Osceola County School for the Arts was ranked No. 30 in Florida and 343th nationally. It was lauded for its academic and artistic excellence.
Professional and Technical High School ranked No. 40 in Florida. It earned its unique marks for its level of career and technical education.
Schools were measured on six measurable data points: College Readiness, State Assessment Proficiency, State Assessment Performance, Underserved Student Performance, College Curriculum Breadth, and Graduation Rate.
U.S. News & World Report evaluates some 24,000 public high schools across the country, and 18,000 earned a ranking, including all eight of Osceola’s traditional schools.
“What makes this recognition so meaningful is that it reflects the unique strengths of each of these schools,” said Osceola School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Shanoff. “Whether it’s pioneering STEM innovation at NeoCity Academy, artistic excellence at OCSA, or career readiness at PATHS, our students are being prepared in diverse and powerful ways for the future. These rankings affirm that Osceola schools are not only keeping pace but helping to define what education should look like in Florida and across the nation.”
Educators’ union, School District reach agreement on contract
The Osceola County School Board and the Osceola County Education Association (OCEA) came to terms last week on a tentative compensation package agreement.
For teachers, the proposal includes performance pay salary increases of $350-500, and a Recurring Retention Supplement equal to 2% of their minimum base salary from last school year. Education Staff Professionals (ESP) and Teamsters employees are slated to receive a 2% cost of living (COLA) increase.
The plan also increases the district’s per-employee health insurance contribution while maintaining health insurance coverage options, including a no-cost option for the employee, and offers flex spending account matches.
The agreements must still pass a final ratification by the School board and OCEA members. OCEA President Janet Moody said in a release the agreement that “reflects the voice of our members” secured pay increases and workplace gains.
“While challenges remain, particularly with healthcare costs, we are proud of the gains we’ve achieved together with the school district,” Moody said.
“We could never fully monetize the impact of our employees on the success of our school district. They are heroes,” Osceola County School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Shanoff said in a school district release. “Since summer 2023, our School Board has prioritized employee compensation with approximately 11% in salary increases. This sizable investment from our School Board affirms the value each of our SDOC team members plays in pursuit of our organizational drivers of engagement, alignment, community, achievement, and culture.”
