Five Parkland schools have earned the Schools of Excellence designation from the Florida State Board of Education, the state’s recognition for sustained academic performance. Heron Heights Elementary, Park Trails Elementary, Riverglades Elementary, Westglades Middle and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High are among 50 Broward County Public Schools honored for the 2025-26 school year.
To qualify, a school must rank at or above the 80th percentile within its grade-level group in at least two of the previous three school years. The designation is tied to Florida’s school grading system and looks at performance over time, not a single year.
Schools that earn the label gain more flexibility over administrative, instructional and operational requirements, along with access to additional funding opportunities.
Broward Superintendent Howard Hepburn praised the students, teachers, staff and school leaders behind the results, calling the recognition a reflection of the district’s commitment to academic excellence.
Across Broward, the 50 honored schools include 32 elementary schools, four middle schools, nine high schools, three combination schools, one primary learning center and one Montessori school. Parkland’s five schools cover all three traditional grade levels.
