Title and Board Action Requested
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Presentation of Dynamic Sports Performance Academy (DSPA) at D.S. Parrott Middle School by Dr. Christopher Clifford and Lauren Schumacher
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Executive Summary
The Principal of D.S. Parrott Middle School, on behalf of the Superintendent of Schools, hereby requests the Board review the presentation
*Introduces the Dynamic Sports Performance Academy (DSPA) as an innovative public-school program designed to combine academics, sports performance, leadership development, wellness, and student growth within the regular school day.
*Responds to the growing number of Florida families seeking specialized educational opportunities, including school choice programs, home education, and private athletic training pathways.
*Provides a public-school option that helps students pursue athletic and performance development while remaining connected to a traditional school community.
*Addresses barriers many student-athletes face, including the high costs of private training, travel sports, club teams, specialty coaching, and performance facilities.
*Focuses on equity and access by creating opportunities for students who may not otherwise have access to specialized athletic development resources.
*Emphasizes that the academy is centered on academics and whole-child development, not athletics alone, with expectations tied to attendance, leadership, accountability, and academic success.
*Incorporates sports science, conditioning, nutrition, recovery, leadership, performance data analysis, injury prevention, and wellness education into the student experience.
*Allows students to participate in rigorous coursework and potentially earn high school credits while enrolled in middle school.
*Supports a variety of sports and performance pathways including soccer, baseball, softball, volleyball, golf, football/track-related performance, and general strength and conditioning. *Promotes leadership, teamwork, discipline, goal setting, confidence, and coachability while helping students build lifelong healthy habits.
*Positions D.S. Parrott Middle School as a destination campus with a unique academic-athletic pathway that can attract and retain families within public education.
*Reinforces the importance of innovation in public schools by offering specialized opportunities that compete with private and alternative educational models while remaining accessible to all students.
My Contact
Chris Clifford, Principal - Clifford_c@hcsb.k12.fl.us
2023-28 Strategic Focus Area
Priority 1: Student Success
Financial Impact
See attached budget sheet.
If expenditure is not currently budgeted, this will serve as the budget amendment when Board approved. If the agenda item includes the purchase of goods or services, the funds requested are an anticipated amount and may fluctuate depending on such factors as current market conditions, product availability, additional funding sources, and the needs of the District. Should the actual cost exceed the anticipated amount, the Board approves the additional cost, after review by the superintendent, but not in excess of the funds available in the site’s approved annual budget.