Pasco County Schools is proud to offer an annual Citizens’ Academy to give community members a unique opportunity to see the innerworkings of the school district and gain a better understanding of how our school system works. Selected participants will join department directors and school board leaders for a series of monthly sessions throughout the school year.

The sessions are a combination of informational tours and classroom presentations. Participants will visit several of Pasco County’s diverse schools, meet with school personnel and principals, and learn about special programs, curriculum, athletics, budget, student nutrition, school safety initiatives, and more.

Those selected to participate should plan to attend ALL eight sessions. School tours will take place during school hours, so all applicants will be subject to our volunteer background screening.

This is a great opportunity for parents and members of the community to meet members of the school board, principals, and other school leaders.  Participants will also engage in discussions, provide feedback, and see first-hand how we are providing a world-class education for all students.

The application period begins in July each year and is closed for the 2022 - 2023 school year.

 

The feedback below is from participants of our first Citizens' Academy: 

“I am really happy that I was part of the initial cohort that took this class. It has been an eye opening experience for me to understand how the school district machinery works and how much thought and planning goes behind every aspect of running the schools that most of us take for granted,” said one participant from the inaugural class.

“My aim was to learn facts about the mission and reality of public education in our community, and I left armed with valuable knowledge as well as a greater understanding of the challenges the district faces in executing its mission. I had been expecting lots of marketing speak and protection of trade secrets but was refreshingly pleased to hear all the speakers be candid, honest, and fun. I think there is a lot of misunderstanding in the general public about the role and boundaries of public education,” said another participant.