M-Dade Schools win inaugural NAF 2015-16 President's Award

Education Thursday, August 4, 2016

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) recently won the National Academy Foundation’s inaugural 2015-16 President’s Award at the NAF’s national conference in Orlando where 1,500 members of the audience witnessed the crowning achievement of arguably the best school district in the nation.

The prize, the highest national award for choice districts, honors M-DCP’s outstanding work in preparing students to be college and career ready upon graduation.

The NAF, a national network of education, business and community leaders who work together to ensure high-school students are meticulously prepared for college and their careers, presented the award to Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho.

“Miami-Dade County Public Schools is once again being recognized as a leader in student achievement,” said Carvalho. “NAF career academy programs have provided our students with opportunities to engage with business and industry leaders, giving them priceless experience that will help position them for college and career success.”

NAF president JD Hoye noted that a visit to Miami last June, “made it crystal clear that your district is on the forefront of career education and you are truly preparing your students to be the future innovators and leaders of companies across this country and world.”

M-DCPS has exemplified significant strategic commitment and investment to NAF academies and student enrollment goals, a strong demonstration to NAF model and outstanding leadership capacity within the network. The award comes with a $5,000 prize for the District’s continued work in career education.

The latest national recognition for Miami-Dade Schools is a reflection of the hard work teachers, parents and community leaders in the Miami Lakes area in preparing students for their future.
The Miami Lakes Education Advisory Board makes sure students who attend Miami Lakes K-8 Center, Bob Graham Education Center, Miami Lakes Middle School, Barbara Goleman and Hialeah Miami Lakes high schools reach their full potential of learning to help prepare them for high school and succeed in college.

But one man has been the back bone for the success of the nation’s fourth largest school district.
Carvalho, who took over the helm of superintendent in 2008, leads by example, winning numerous of national awards, including being named the country’s top schools chief in 2014, recognizing him for his continuous efforts to help 350,000 students earn good marks in the classrooms.

He was also named Magnet Schools of America Superintendent of the Year in May, and received the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award in 2014.