U.S. News & World Report ranked Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy in Hialeah a Top 100 school in its annual report in August.      “I think it’s fantastic,” Principal Jose Enriquez Jr. said. “I think it’s great for our community and our school, particularly the hard-working teachers and students.”      Enriquez said feedback from parents is they are...

    The family of former Fla. Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham gave $5 million to the University of Florida to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the Gainesville campus.       The donation creates the largest endowed fund in the center’s history, UF said. It is launching a fundraising campaign to grow the endowment to $20 million by the end of...

    Teachers who need support for their high school culinary arts and restaurant management programs may apply for a $5,000 check from the 2025 Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grants.      A project of The Rachael Ray Foundation and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the grants may be used to upgrade classroom equipment and resources or by schools that want to launch their own ProStart...

     Area schools welcomed back students on Aug. 14 to start the school year. Kids enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade enjoyed first day activities, and some wore custom crowns to mark the beginning of their senior year. Miami-Dade Public Schools Board Member Roberto Alonso visited with students and administrators at Miami Lakes K-8 Center. A trend among backpacks this year was to wear designs that referenced...

The Miami-Dade County Library branch in Miami Lakes is offering classes.        Most events require preregistration and popular courses may fill up early. Sign up in advance to avoid being shut out of classes.         To see what is available, call 305-822-6520, email truglioj@mdpls.org or sign up at bit.ly/3Wnp6tC. The library at 6699 Windmill Gate Rd. is open Monday - Thursday,...