Nine Florida Charter High School Graduates Win Prestigious Scholarships

Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships awarded based on academic accomplishments and financial need.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (July 27, 2023) – Nine Florida charter high school graduates have been named recipients of the 2023 Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships by the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS).

The Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships are merit-based financial awards of $1,500 each. They are awarded to college-bound or technical school-bound recent graduates of Florida charter schools.

Scholarship recipients have strong academic records and demonstrate financial need. Scholarship funds may be used towards college expenses, including tuition, textbooks, materials and supplies, and computer equipment.

Dr. Carlo Rodriguez was an education advocate who worked tirelessly to expand quality school choice options for children. He was the head of the charter school office of Miami-Dade Public Schools and was named to head the Florida Department of Education's Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice. He passed away unexpectedly in 2007.

Recipients of the 2023 Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships are:

--Myralex Anglade of Somerset Academy Central Miramar High in Miramar

--Dominick Augusto of Palm Bay Preparatory Academy in Panama City

--Paige Dunsford of McKeel Academy of Technology in Lakeland

--Seth Gregoire of Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School in Tampa

--Khushi Mathur of Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School in Tampa

--Marie Pierre of Doctors Charter School of Miami Shores in Miami Shores

--Shahzodbek Rahmonov of Marco Island Academy in Marco Island

--Mamadou Thiam of Manatee School for the Arts in Palmetto

--Natalia Urbanski of State College of Florida Collegiate School in Bradenton

“The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools congratulates this year’s winners of the Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships and wishes them great success in their college endeavors,” said Robert Haag, President of FCPCS. “Given their significant charter school achievements, we are sure they will excel in college.”

The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools acknowledges the meaningful support it receives for the Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships Program from EGIS Insurance & Risk Advisors of Boca Raton. The company sponsored four of the scholarships and is a preferred partner of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools. Five of the scholarships are sponsored by FCPCS.

About the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools

The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) is the leading charter school membership association in the state. Since its inception in 1999, FCPCS has been dedicated to creating a national model of high quality, accredited public charter schools that are student-centered and performance-driven. FCPCS provides a wide array of technical support, mentoring, training, networking, and purchasing services to its membership, as well as serving as an advocate for all Florida public charter schools.

Galileo School for Gifted Learning Wins National “Building Hope” Award as an Inspirational Charter School 

Sanford, Fla., School is a Member of Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) 

SANFORD, Fla., (June 6, 2023) – Galileo School for Gifted Learning has won a national Building Hope Award as one of 12 “inspirational charter schools” across America.  The Sanford, Fla., school is a member of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS). 

The prestigious award comes with a $20,000 grant, one of the largest given as part of the Building Hope Awards program.  Building Hope is a non-profit foundation dedicated to creating high-quality K-12 charter school opportunities for students through its expertise in real estate, finance and operational services. 

The award winners were selected from more than 260 applications from charter schools in 38 states.  Galileo School for Gifted Learning’s Skyway Campus was named the top school in the category of Student Empowerment.  According to Building Hope, Galileo students engage fully in their education and choose extracurricular activities and advocate for which electives and enrichments they are most interested in pursuing. 

“We care about the voices and choices of our kids,” said Galileo’s Principal & CEO Michelle Nunez.  “We are here to create the opportunity for students to be motivated and challenged and to pursue their passionate interests.” 

Schools in Minneapolis and San Francisco were runners up in the Building Hope Student Empowerment Awards category and received $10,000 grant awards, part of a total of $175,000 in Building Hope grant awards.  Building Hope Awards were also given in the categories of charter school leadership, community engagement and education innovation. 

“The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools congratulates Galileo School for Gifted Learning for winning such a prestigious award and for its ongoing efforts to provide high quality charter school education,” said Robert Haag, President of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools.  “Galileo School for Gifted Learning is a shining example of the superb work being done at FCPCS member schools throughout Florida.” 

About the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools

The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) is the leading charter school membership association in the state, with a membership of nearly 75 percent of all operating charter schools.  Since its inception in 1999, FCPCS has been dedicated to creating a national model of high quality, accredited public charter schools that are student-centered and performance-driven. FCPCS provides a wide array of technical support, mentoring, training, networking, and purchasing services to its membership, as well as serving as an advocate for all Florida public charter schools.

DIVIDED PASCO SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES PATEL CHARTER DEAL

From The Laker/Lutz News
By B.C. Manion - May 23, 2023

The Pasco County School Board voted 3-2 to approve a partnership to advance a plan for a Patel Charter School, expected to open in 2025. READ MORE

Gov. DeSantis signs measure expanding sports options for charter school athletes

From Florida Politics
By Jesse Scheckner - May 24, 2023

The legislation was inspired by an issue in Vero Beach. Two lawmakers from the city carried it across the finish line.

By the beginning of the next school year, charter school students in Florida will have more options when deciding where to play.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 190, which will enable students at charter schools throughout Florida to participate in the athletic programs of willing private schools, regardless of whether a nearby public school has similar offerings. READ MORE