Dear Monroe County Families, Staff and Community Partners
As we prepare to welcome back our students and educators, I am filled with excitement and pride for the 2025–2026 school year. In just a few short days, our campuses will once again be alive with the energy of learning, collaboration and growth. There is so much to celebrate across the Monroe County School District as we begin this new chapter together.
We are proud to announce that the Monroe County School District has earned an “A” rating from the Florida Department of Education. This distinction reflects significant gains in student performance and is a direct result of our educators’ commitment to data-driven instruction and targeted interventions.
The Class of 2025 achieved an impressive overall GPA of 3.4 and was awarded a total of $13 million in scholarships, demonstrating both academic excellence and strong community support. We are also seeing continued growth in industry certifications earned by our students, thanks to the ongoing support of the Golden Fleece Foundation.
Additionally, the district has been recognized as a NOAA Ocean Guardian District, a prestigious designation that highlights our commitment to environmental stewardship. Through hands-on projects that protect local watersheds and marine ecosystems, our students and staff are fostering a culture of sustainability throughout the Florida Keys.
This summer, our staff worked tirelessly to prepare our schools for the new year. Thanks to the voter-approved operational millage and sales tax referenda, we’ve made significant improvements across our campuses, including classroom painting, HVAC maintenance and replacements, technology upgrades, marquee enhancements, playground resurfacing and athletic field improvements. I want to extend a special thank you to our custodial teams for their exceptional work in creating clean, safe and welcoming environments for our students and staff. We also launched a refreshed district website and a new MCSD District app, both designed to improve accessibility and keep families informed with real-time updates and resources.
The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority. In addition to having law enforcement officers on every campus, our staff participated in public safety tours, threat management training and the Florida Association of School Resource Officers Conference to ensure we are fully prepared.
Tools like the TextTips app (powered by CityHost411) and FortifyFL offer anonymous ways to report concerns and help keep our schools secure. We are also proud to be the only district in Florida designated as a “Suicide Prevention Certified District” by the Florida Department of Education. Every campus is supported by a school counselor and a social worker, reinforcing our commitment to youth mental health and well being.
We are proud to report that nearly all teaching positions are filled for the upcoming school year — a testament to our district’s appeal and the hard work of our Human Resources team. We are also grateful to our community partners — United Way, Kids Come First and Glad Tidings Tabernacle — for collecting and distributing school supplies to families in need. Your generosity ensures that every student starts the year equipped for success.
August 13 will mark my very first “first day of school” as superintendent of Monroe County, and I couldn’t be more honored. I look forward to seeing the smiling faces of our students, families and staff as we begin this journey together. As we move forward, I am committed to strengthening our partnerships with local businesses and community leaders, advancing our school safety initiatives and working collaboratively to ensure Monroe County’s public schools remain among the best in the state.
Here’s to a safe, successful, and inspiring school year!
Warm regards,
Edward Tierney
Superintendent
Monroe County School District
