Community members come together to advocate for students affected by the recent school closure.
University Preparatory Academy in West Palm Beach has announced its closure, effective immediately, affecting over 300 families. The public charter school cited poor academic performance, receiving grades below a ‘C’ for three consecutive years. Parents were informed through a Facebook post and email from the Principal, leaving many scrambling for new educational options just weeks before the school year starts. The Palm Beach County School District is offering support in finding alternative schools, with several nearby institutions ready to accept displaced students.
West Palm Beach – University Preparatory Academy, a public charter school in West Palm Beach, has announced its abrupt closure, effective immediately, leaving over 300 families without options as the new school year approaches. The school, which was established in 2015 and had an enrollment of 170 students at the time of its closure, will not reopen for the 2025-2026 school year.
The decision to close the school comes just weeks before the start of classes on August 11. This decision was attributed to poor academic performance, as the school received grades below a “C” for three consecutive years. Specifically, the school recorded a D grade in the 2022-2023 academic year, an F in 2023-2024, and another D in 2024-2025.
Parents of the students were informed of the closure through a Facebook post and an email from the Principal, Dr. Mike Hill, sent on July 14. In the communication, Hill stated that the decision was made after considering all possible alternatives for the continued operation of the school.
The impact of this sudden closure has been significant on local families. Parents have expressed their disappointment and distress at having to find new educational opportunities for their children on such short notice. One parent shared feelings of sadness, noting that the school had become a second home for her daughter, who had attended since kindergarten. The caring commitment of the teachers has been highlighted, with many parents expressing their gratitude for the positive influence that educators had on their children.
Another parent underscored the abrupt nature of the closure, emphasizing the urgent need to find alternative schools just a few weeks before the start of the school year. Many families are scrambling to locate new institutions, with some having already invested in school uniforms and supplies that may now be rendered useless due to the closure. The financial and logistical challenges faced by these families add to their frustration.
In light of these challenges, some students have already begun to transition to new educational environments. One student plans to enroll in Inlet Grove Middle and High School in Riviera Beach, where she hopes to continue her charitable activities by donating any collected supplies to her new school community.
The Palm Beach County School District has acknowledged the situation and is prepared to support the affected families and students by offering guidance on available schooling options. According to the Florida Charter School Alliance, there are at least 11 nearby public schools that have openings for students facing this unforeseen transition.
This closure represents a significant blow for the community, disrupting the educational journeys of many children just as the new academic year approaches. Parents are urged to act quickly to secure placements for their children, given the limited time frame before classes begin.
As the local educational landscape shifts, the university and charter school systems will need to address the implications of such closures and their impact on families in the West Palm Beach area moving forward.
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