Broward schools expand enrichment courses, add librarians and increase AP class access

Broward County Public Schools is expanding access to enrichment courses at all elementary schools and adding more opportunities for students to take advanced high school classes as part of new initiatives announced Tuesday.

For the first time in years, all 128 elementary schools in the district will offer at least three enrichment courses, ensuring students across schools in both affluent and economically disadvantaged communities have access to the same range of “specials” classes.

“I’m pleased to say that mission was accepted and that mission was accomplished,” Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn said during Tuesday’s Broward County School Board meeting, receiving applause from board members and attendees.

The district said every elementary student will now have access to at least three specials courses, including music, art, physical education, and media.

“Specials like music, art, PE, media, those are the classes that really get kids excited about school,” School Board Chair Sarah Leonardi said.

Broward County Public Schools is investing about $800,000 to expand enrichment offerings at 14 schools that previously provided only two of the courses.

The initiative was championed by School Board member Allen Zeman, who said the previous system created inequities because smaller schools — many located in lower-income communities — had fewer enrichment options than larger schools.

“Our smallest schools were being disadvantaged, and those were also our low-income areas typically,” Zeman said. “So what happened were low-income kids were getting music or art or PE, whereas middle-class and upper-income people were getting all of them, so we changed that.”

The district also announced that every elementary school will have a full-time librarian.

“This is a fantastic day, this is great news, and a great example of what happens when you listen to your constituents,” board member Adam Cervera said. “The parents were overwhelmingly asking for more specials in their schools.”

Officials said the previous shortage of enrichment options at some schools was linked to declining enrollment. While the district is expanding programs at those campuses, Hepburn said the issue highlights the need for continued discussions about school closures and consolidations.

“We have about 50,000 empty seats in our district,” Hepburn said. “To be fiscally responsible and use taxpayer dollars wisely, we just can’t have that many open seats in the district.”

The district also announced plans to reduce overcrowding in popular high school courses, including Advanced Placement (AP) classes.

Under the plan, Broward high schools will be able to offer an additional 1,000 classes, allowing more students to access advanced courses while keeping class sizes aligned with instructional needs.

“So our high schools will be able to provide a thousand additional classes, ensuring their class sizes are comparable to the needs of the type of instruction our students are going to receive,” Hepburn said.

The district has secured funding for the initiatives but is now working to hire additional teachers to fill the new positions ahead of the start of the school year on August 10.