At the School Board Meeting of May 13, 2026, School Board Member Luisa Santos proffered agenda
item B-3, recognizing 2026 Academic Scholarship Signing and College and Career Decision Day.
Since 2010, Florida has observed the third Tuesday in April as Academic Scholarship Signing Day to
honor high-achieving students. Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has expanded this via
School Board Policy 5451 into College and Career Decision Day, a broader celebration encompassing all
post-secondary paths, including university enrollment and career certification programs.
To support this mission, the Division of Student Services provides training and resources to
administrators and College Assistance Program (CAP) advisors. This initiative is guided by the 2026
Framework for Post-Secondary Success, which helps students align their academic goals with career
aspirations while offering families the tools needed to navigate the transition into higher education or the
workforce.
M-DCPS’ commitment to student readiness is reflected in its statewide leadership in FAFSA completion.
The Class of 2025 achieved a 65% completion rate, while the Class of 2026 is already at 52.9%. These
achievements have earned the district the top spot in the Florida College Access Network’s FAFSA
Challenge, solidifying its position as a leader in post-secondary preparation.
The School Board recognized Jeffery Gerald from North Miami Senior High School, Ibrahim Gowon from
Miami Central Senior High School, Vincent Ng from MAST@FIU Senior High School, Maggie
Cardenache from Hialeah Senior High School, Sofia Fernandez from the School for Advanced Studies
(SAS) West Campus, Harmony Henderson from Miami Coral Park Senior High School, Bridget Martinez
from Miami Senior High School, Zianni Jean from South Dade Senior High School, and Gavin Linton
from Miami Palmetto Senior High School.
The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, celebrates all students and their pathways to post-
secondary education and acknowledges the support networks within their school communities that
provide students and families clear guidance, strong support, and vital information and resources to help
them reach their educational goals.
To read the full item, visit:https://luisasantos.com/our-impact
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