More than 24,000 middle and high school students in Broward County are expected to benefit from a new $1.1 million grant aimed at expanding college and career readiness opportunities across the district, which is home to thousands of Caribbean-Americans.
The funding, awarded by Helios Education Foundation, will support a three-year initiative called Postsecondary Success for All, led by the Broward Education Foundation in partnership with Broward County Public Schools and Bridge2Life.
The program is designed to strengthen postsecondary readiness and improve access to college and career pathways, particularly for students from underserved communities. Officials said the initiative will directly serve 9,682 high school students and indirectly benefit an additional 14,000 middle school students across 80 district schools.
Howard Hepburn, superintendent of Broward County Public Schools, described the grant as a major opportunity to expand access to higher education.
“This investment is a game changer for our students, particularly those who have historically faced barriers to higher education,” Hepburn said. “Through this initiative, we are expanding access to advanced coursework and ensuring every student receives the mentorship, resources and support needed to thrive beyond high school.”
Expanding access and support
The initiative will focus on increasing enrollment in accelerated academic programs, including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), and dual enrollment courses through partnerships with local colleges.
Students will also receive districtwide support aimed at improving performance on college entrance exams such as the ACT and SAT, which are often key factors in college admissions and scholarship eligibility.
In addition, 11th and 12th grade students and their families will have access to one-on-one advising covering college applications, financial aid, scholarships, and career exploration. The program will also offer FAFSA workshops, college boot camps, family engagement events, and college fairs.
Officials said the initiative will also help guide seniors through the transition from high school to college, while addressing academic and socio-emotional barriers that may affect postsecondary success.
Paul J. Luna, president and CEO of Helios Education Foundation, said the partnership is designed to create long-term impact.
“At Helios, we know that postsecondary success doesn’t happen by chance — it requires intentional systems of support that meet students where they are and guide them every step of the way,” Luna said. “Together, we are not only opening doors to opportunity — we are helping students walk through them with confidence.”
The initiative will also allow Bridge2Life to participate in early access testing for the 2026-2027 FAFSA rollout beginning in August 2026, giving students additional support navigating financial aid applications.
James A. Knapp, president and CEO of Broward Education Foundation, said the grant strengthens collaboration between education leaders and philanthropic partners.
“This partnership underscores the important role Broward Education Foundation plays in aligning philanthropic investment with district priorities to expand opportunities for students,” Knapp said.
Officials said the Postsecondary Success for All initiative aims to build a stronger college-going culture across Broward County schools while improving long-term outcomes for thousands of students.
