District Newsroom

National Public Schools Week: Shining a spotlight on the magic that happens every day in Volusia County Schools' classrooms

DELAND—National Public Schools Week, celebrated Feb. 23-27, is a time to celebrate the incredible 
work happening every day in classrooms across Volusia County Schools and all Florida school 
districts. Public schools are the clear choice for Florida families, with 85% of parents choosing Florida 
public schools and public charter schools to educate their children—and that is something to proudly 
celebrate.

Today, a high school diploma from a Florida public school is more than a milestone; it is a launchpad to success. Public schools offer unmatched choice and flexibility, preparing students for college, careers, and civic life through personalized learning pathways that meet students where they are and help them soar, while building local and state talent pipelines. From inspiring lessons to meaningful connections, public schools are where students discover their talents, pursue their dreams, and build 
bright futures. 

In Volusia County Schools, that success story is evident every day through robust academic offerings 
and intentional career pathways that align education with opportunity. Under the leadership of 
Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin, Career & Technical Education (CTE) has become a districtwide 
strategic priority, ensuring students graduate prepared for both postsecondary education and high-demand careers. Key highlights of this work include:

• Districtwide College and Career Acceleration (CCA) success, with every traditional high school in Volusia County exceeding a 75% CCA rate, ensuring broad-based success across all communities.
• Expanded acceleration and dual enrollment pathways, including aerospace-aligned coursework through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and strengthened career articulations with Daytona State College.
• Unprecedented growth in Career and Technical Education, expanding from 164 to 279 CTE programs, career pathways, academies, and honors courses, a 70% increase in student access to career-focused learning.
• Intentional expansion of skilled trades, with new offerings added annually, including automotive, electrical, HVAC, manufacturing, and welding, with plumbing and aviation assembly and fabrication launching in 2026–2027.
• Strategic growth of programs aligned to Volusia County’s high-skill, high-wage occupations, including information technology, health sciences, finance, aerospace, and engineering, ensuring students graduate prepared for careers that sustain families, strengthen the local economy, and meet regional workforce demand.
• Industry-recognized credentials for every CTE student, with 100% of CTE programs and academies now aligned to at least one industry certification.
• Authentic work-based learning opportunities, supported by more than 210 active business partners and yielding hundreds of student internships, job shadowing experiences, clinicals, and pre-apprenticeships annually.
• Strategic partnerships with organizations such as Addition Financial, AdventHealth, Launch Credit Union, Space Florida, Daytona Tortugas, and Volusia Manufacturers Association (VMA) directly embedding workforce experiences into classroom learning.
• Intentional career planning and leadership development, supported through programs of study, individualized student advising, and strong participation in Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) such as FFA, SkillsUSA, DECA, HOSA, and TSA, building leadership, confidence, teamwork, and career readiness alongside academic achievement.
• Embedded student support systems tied to career pathways, ensuring equitable access to acceleration opportunities, industry certifications, work-based learning, and postsecondary planning, so students in every high school graduate with a clear next step and the skills to succeed. 

Florida school districts have continued to rise and not only meet but often exceed the parameters and 
academic standards put before them. The recent announcement of the historic, record-breaking 
92.2% high school graduation rates for Florida public schools for the 2024-25 school year is a prime 
example of how Florida’s Future is Powered by Public Schools. 

As we celebrate National Public Schools Week, we proudly recognize the educators, students, 
families, and community partners who make this success possible. 

Together, Volusia County Schools and Florida public schools are building strong communities, a 
skilled workforce, and a brighter future for all. 

###

Volusia County Schools’ vision is to create life-long learners prepared for an ever-changing global society. The VCS Strategic Plan: www.vcsedu.org/strategic-plan.