From Classrooms to Careers – Flagler Schools Help Students Plan Their Track for Success
by Danielle Anderson
If you haven ’ t visited a classroom in a while , you ’ re likely in for a surprise .
Today ’ s classrooms in the Flagler County school district are filled with hands-on activities and cutting-edge technology resulting in a quality education for students . In addition , students are afforded the opportunity to move throughout the district to pursue a track , via the Classroom to Careers Flagship Program , that feeds their passion for learning and prepares them to launch successfully into the next chapter of their lives upon graduation .
Flagler County Education Foundation executive director Joe Rizzo loves talking about the opportunities available to Flagler ’ s kids .
A graduate of Flagler Palm Coast High School , Rizzo left a successful career as a restaurateur to lead the foundation ’ s efforts .
His children attended Flagler schools and he ’ s seen the growth and refinement of the
Joe Rizzo
Classrooms to Carers program firsthand . “ It started as a challenge to the nine principals to really think outside the box and come up with a plan ,” said Rizzo .
“ They ’ ve really extended it and grown it to be something that truly aligns with Governor DeSantis ’ mission and vision as far as what workforce readiness looks like . Because of that we really do have the opportunity to be one of the first places in the State of Florida , if not the country , to have one hundred percent of our kids to graduate and one hundred percent of them can either be ready and prepared for college or a career where they can have an impact .”
Students can choose from exciting program tracks including marine science , finance and corporate services , agriscience and green technology , robotics or law and justice .
By developing the programs in conjunction with industry leaders like AdventHealth , Rizzo said employers are able to share their workforce needs and the district can help tailor flagship programs to meet the demand .
“ We really try to encompass all of our community players as far as the future job market , so when you look at it from a business standpoint , we ’ re really trying to create marketable employees ,” said Rizzo . “ I don ’ t think there are a lot of places in the country that are doing that .”
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