News Summary
University Preparatory Academy in West Palm Beach has announced its unexpected closure, affecting over 300 families just weeks before the school year begins. Established in 2015, the charter school faced declining academic performance, leading to its shut down. Many parents express shock and frustration at the timing, as they scramble to find new educational options for their children. The Palm Beach County School District is offering support to those affected, helping families transition to nearby schools that have openings.
West Palm Beach – University Preparatory Academy, a public charter school in West Palm Beach, announced its abrupt closure, leaving over 300 families scramble for new educational options just weeks before the 2025-2026 school year begins on August 11. Established in 2015, the institution had an enrollment of 170 students at the time of its closure, which was driven by consistently poor academic performance. The school received grades below a “C” for three consecutive years, recording a D in 2022-2023, an F in 2023-2024, and another D in 2024-2025.
Parents received the surprising news through a Facebook post and an email dated July 14 from Principal Dr. Mike Hill, explaining that the decision was made after careful consideration of all possible alternatives. The abrupt nature of the announcement has left many parents feeling blindsided and frustrated, as they now face the urgent task of securing new school placements for their children.
Among those affected is Emily Vasquez, a parent whose daughter, Luisita Cruz, attended UPA since kindergarten. Vasquez expressed sadness over the closure, describing the school as a second family for her daughter. She highlighted the dedication and caring of the teachers, noting the significant impact they had on Luisita, who has previously garnered attention for her charitable acts, such as donating toys to purchase school supplies for classmates.
Another parent, Tiffany Bassett, expressed her devastation at the sudden shutdown of the school. She pointed out that the closure is impacting more than 300 families, many of whom have multiple children enrolled at UPA. The timing of the announcement has heightened frustrations; with the start of school less than a month away, parents are left to deal with immediate needs for uniforms and supplies. Bassett mentioned that she had already spent around $300 on uniforms, which are now unusable due to the school’s closure.
In light of the disruption, students from UPA must now look for alternative educational options. For instance, Luisita Cruz plans to enroll at Inlet Grove Middle and High School in Riviera Beach, where she is determined to continue her philanthropy by donating school supplies to her new community. This decision reflects the resilience and determination of families as they navigate the unexpected transition.
In response to the closure, the Palm Beach County School District has pledged support to the affected students and families by directing them to available nearby schools. The Florida Charter School Alliance highlighted that there are 11 public schools in proximity to UPA that currently have openings for new enrollments ahead of the upcoming school year.
The closure of University Preparatory Academy raises important questions about the stability and support systems in place for charter schools, especially for those with ongoing performance issues. Charter schools play a vital role in providing educational choices, and when a closure occurs, it can have substantial ripple effects on families, students, and the surrounding community. As the affected families face challenges ahead, local educational authorities are stepping in to assist in the transition to new school environments.
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Additional Resources
- WPBF: Florida Charter School Closure
- Google Search: Florida Charter School Closure
- CBS 12: Charter School Closure
- Google Scholar: Charter School Closures
- Hoodline: University Preparatory Academy Closure
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Charter Schools
- WPBF: West Palm Beach Charter School Closure
- Google News: West Palm Beach Charter School
- Palm Beach Post: Family Sues Charter School
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CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECleveland.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cleveland International Film Festival, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and the Cleveland Air Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Cleveland Partnership and Destination Cleveland, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Cleveland Clinic and Sherwin-Williams. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's dynamic landscape.
