1. Gulf Stream School Scholars Program

Launched in 2025, the GSS Scholars Program provides 8th grade students with opportunities to pursue specialized academic interests beyond the traditional curriculum. The program is an initiative of Gulf Stream School, an independent elementary and middle school based in Gulf Stream, Florida.

The program challenges students to engage deeply with subjects that interest them, collaborate with others, and develop skills that prepare them for high school and future academic pursuits. Through focused coursework, project-based learning, and engagement with professionals and community organizations, students strengthen those interests while exploring real-world applications of their studies.

Last year’s inaugural program offered three courses: environmental advocacy in partnership with The Everglades Foundation; public speaking and civil discourse in partnership with the U.S. Courts, Southern District of Florida; and entrepreneurship, where students developed a complete business plan and marketing strategy before pitching their inventions to a panel of investors in a Shark Tank-style presentation. Each student selects a course based on individual interests.

The program’s continued growth is reflected in enhancements planned for the 2026–2027 school year, including a revised schedule embedded within the school day, a digital communications and filmmaking course, and a required capstone project. With recognition on students’ transcripts and diplomas, GSS Scholars has become a meaningful part of the 8th grade experience, challenging students to pursue their interests with greater depth.

2. GEMS at Cox Science Center

GEMS (Girls Excelling in Math and Science) Club at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium engages girls grades 3-8 and combines a monthly dinner with a chance to meet and learn from visiting female scientists who are leaders in their respective fields. From astronauts and scientists to mathematicians and aerospace engineers, the speakers are role models GEMS girls may emulate as their education and careers unfold. GEMS is generously supported by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Pratt and Whitney/Raytheon, as well as the Lottie French-Lewis Fund and Lovelight Fund of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties.

3. Greene School Speech & Debate

At The Greene School, the Speech and Debate team is guided by one very simple idea: we’ve won before we ever entered the room. As anyone who competes at Speech and Debate tournaments in Palm Beach County or even across the country will tell you, the challenges faced at these events are often incredibly daunting and intimidating. Competitors must be prepared to go up against incredible schools and teams from all over the country (and sometimes world!) while also needing to be able to adapt to different types of judges and feedback throughout. Our team does this with ease simply because they have the confidence to understand that being at these tournaments is an accomplishment in itself. We do not focus on winning trophies. That is not why we are there. We are at these tournaments to better ourselves as individuals and as leaders for our community. Our team understands that we are building confidence in ourselves as a team and as individuals. The tournaments provide an opportunity for us to show how much we have evolved as individuals throughout the academic year while also building a bond that will truly last well beyond our time together at The Greene School.

In our first year with Andrew Dupre leading the team, we have found tremendous success in Palm Beach County and across the national circuit. Advancing at literally every single national circuit level tournament, one of our students, Robert has shown outstanding commitment and dedication to the program, which has led to many newer students being inspired and enthusiastic to join the team under his mentorship. Across Palm Beach County, our team has won and placed across events including Congressional Debate, Lincoln Douglas Debate, and Original Oratory. Our entire community knows that we are just getting started and it is safe to say that our reputation and success will only continue to skyrocket!

We are successful as a team because we want to see each other succeed. We want to help others succeed. For us, winning is about making a difference and having the confidence to know that whatever the outcome may be, we did our best as a team and we made an impact. We started off as a very small mighty group that has begun to transform into a growing and soon to be thriving community. Our reputation has grown amongst the Palm Beach County community and will only continue to grow as our achievements continue to stack up. We hope to inspire others in the Palm Beach community to have the confidence to always believe in themselves and to try to always have a positive impact on themselves and their community. Keep your eye on us as we aren’t going anywhere but up!

4. Riviera Beach Preparatory and Achievement Academy

Riviera Beach Preparatory and Achievement Academy affectionately known to our community as “The Prep” is far more than just a school; we are a family. We specialize in meeting students exactly where they are, providing a tight-knit, small classroom setting and a vital extra chance at an education. Many of our students face hurdles that make traditional high schools a mismatch, whether they are navigating teen parenthood, overcoming involvement with the justice system, or simply needing a fresh spark of motivation to overcome past struggles. At The Prep, there is no judgment. We greet every student who walks through our doors as family, building the deep, trusting relationships that serve as the ultimate bridge to the graduation stage.

Our school culture is anchored by our universal PEACE guidelines, which instill in our students what it means to be Polite, Ethical, Adaptable, Conscientious, and filled with self-Esteem. This dedication to character and connection has proven that when you believe in students, they rise to the occasion. Over the last four years, The Prep has consistently earned a “Commendable” rating the highest possible ranking for an alternative education program. We have proudly peaked our graduation rate at an incredible 81%, and we are eagerly awaiting this year’s scores to see just how high our students have soared.

5. Project Uplift

Roots and Wings is transforming the future of literacy through Project UpLift, the largest free after-school literacy program serving Title I elementary schools in Palm Beach County. Since launching in 2017 with just one school and 30 students, Project UpLift has now grown to serving approximately 1,600 struggling readers in 24 schools in the upcoming 2026-2027 school year, while still maintaining the individualized attention that makes lasting transformation possible. The program was created to address one of our community’s most urgent challenges: children’s literacy. Project UpLift equips students in the bottom 25% of their class in Grades 1-3 who are reading one or more grades behind with the literacy skills, confidence, and motivation they need to succeed in school and beyond. It accomplishes this through research-based instruction delivered in small groups of 10 or less by certified teachers, and meaningful relationships with caring educators, family engagement, and innovative tools such as BuddyBooks.

The impact of Project UpLift is both measurable and transformational. Students who once struggled to read now enter their classrooms with greater confidence, improved attendance, and a renewed belief in their own potential. During the 2025-2026 school year, 85% of participating students made significant reading gains. Almost 900 students surpassed their reading growth goal for the year! Beyond academic achievement, Project UpLift strengthens school communities by partnering closely with principals, classroom teachers, literacy coordinators, families, businesses, and volunteers to create a network of support around every child. and a renewed belief in their own potential.

At its heart, Project UpLift is about expanding educational opportunity and changing the trajectory of children’s lives. Roots and Wings believes that a child’s zip code should never determine their ability to read, learn, and thrive. By investing in at-risk students before they fall permanently behind, Project UpLift is helping close the literacy gap, strengthening schools, empowering educators, and creating brighter futures for thousands of children across Palm Beach County. In less than a decade, Roots and Wings has demonstrated that innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to educational excellence can create lasting change – not only for individual students, but for families, schools, and the entire community.  Project UpLift is proving that when a child learns to read, an entire future is rewritten.

6. Scholar Career Coaching

Scholar Career Coaching is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering motivated, high-potential students attending Title I public high schools as they prepare for college, careers, and life beyond graduation. Serving Palm Beach and Broward Counties, the organization provides personalized mentoring, college access and career readiness programming, scholarship support, and workforce development opportunities that equip students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to achieve their educational and career aspirations. Since its founding, Scholar Career Coaching has empowered more than 1,000 students to pursue higher education, meaningful careers, and lifelong success.

Working alongside schools, educators, volunteers, families, employers, and community partners, Scholar Career Coaching creates opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. Through mentoring, leadership development, college coaching, career exploration, and workforce readiness experiences, students gain the confidence, connections, and practical skills needed to navigate the transition from high school to college, careers, and beyond.

At Scholar Career Coaching, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. By expanding access to mentoring, education, career exploration, and scholarships, we are helping develop the next generation of college graduates, professionals, and community leaders who will make a lasting impact throughout South Florida.