Okaloosa School District

Okaloosa County School District

After making the most dramatic learning gains since the state started grading schools, the Okaloosa County School District has achieved a larger share of 'A' rated schools than the other 67 Florida counties. Today, the Okaloosa County School District serves approximately 30,000 students and operates thirty-three neighborhood public schools.


Recognizing that education must be a seamless process that keeps the best interest of the student squarely in mind, OCSD has established forward-leaning partnerships with Florida colleges and universities to provide additional opportunities and challenges for students:

  • The University of Florida and University of West Florida: pre-engineering course work for middle and high school students
  • The Florida State University College of Medicine and West Florida Area Health Education Center:  science and math instruction for students starting in seventh grade
  • Embry Riddle Aeronautical University: university-level aerospace studies

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs allow students to earn high school credit, college credit, and industry certifications.  Our programs are rigorous and prepare students for college, yet give them the skills in which Florida employers are looking. 

CTE courses offer students the ability to gain specific, practical and professional skills that can mean the difference on a college application or the fast-track into a first job. Our career programs incorporates challenging academic content standards leading to an industry-recognized credential or certificate in addition to the student’s high school diploma by:

  • Empowering students for effective participation in the Florida workforce and beyond;
  • Teaching students the high demand skills needed to get a job, to cross-train for different positions, or retrain for a new career; and
  • Preparing students for more than a good paying job – it serves as the beginning of a career path.
Okaloosa County School District students have an opportunity to earn industry certifications in our Career and Technical Education programs. Students who earn an industry certification that can articulate for postsecondary credit save money for tuition and fees by completing these programs in high school.

Learn More

Community High: Okaloosa Institutes for Career Education: CHOICE

CHOICE is a unique program for high school students. CHOICE provides students with nationally recognized industry certifications and a solid foundation whether they plan to enter the workforce immediately after high school or continue their education at a career center, community college, or university. It lets students earn high school credit, college credit, and nationally-recognized industry certification – all at the same time.  

Institutes:

  • Architecture & Construction Insitute: Building Construction, Carpentry and Electricity
  • Arts, A/V Technology & Communication: Digital Design and Television Production
  • Education & Training: Early Childhood Development
  • Engineering & Technology Education: Aerospace, Drafting, Pathways to Engineering, Applied Robotics
  • Health Science Institute: Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences
  • Hospitality & Tourism Institute: Culinary Art and Specialities
  • Human Services: Cosmetology
  • Information Technology: Applied Cybersecurity, Digital Media, .NET Application Development and Programming, Network Support and Web Development
  • Law, Public Safety & Security: Criminal Justice Operations Unit
  • Manufacturing: Applied Welding and Manufacturing Technology
  • Transportation, Distribution & Logistics: Automotive 
 

Innovation and Special Abilities

 Other examples of Okaloosa innovative approach to educating those with special abilities and aptitudes include:
 
STEMM Academy
The STEMM Academy is a public middle school for students interested in pursuing STEMM careers. The Academy's curriculum prepares students to pursue technical professions in engineering, mathematics, medicine and research.
 
Emerald Coast Autism Center
The Emerald Coast Autism Center (ECAC) is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to educating and improving the lives of young children with autism in Okaloosa and Walton counties and surrounding areas. ECAC is unique in our approach to teaching these amazing children. All instruction and activities at the ECAC are conducted in a manner consistent with the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), the only proven intervention for children with autism.
 

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