Project Overview

Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) is undergoing a comprehensive, community-wide initiative to develop a long-term school planning strategy that positions local public schools for future success. This initiative, titled Our Schools–Future Ready, will address several critical issues, including enrollment and school capacity, transportation, educational programs, and more. To guide the vision and decisions behind this plan, this initiative will include extensive community engagement with families, students, educators, and community members to ensure the final plan reflects the community's priorities.

This website will serve as a central community hub for the Comprehensive School Strategy Plan (CSSP) developed under this initiative. Here, you can view the schedule of engagement events, participate in online engagement opportunities, see the project's status in real time, and review draft versions of the CSSP and other important documents as they become available.

A red box that displays the text "Get involved!"

Engagement Activities

Can't attend an in-person event or want to submit more information for each activity? No problem! For each phase of community input, we will host a set of online engagement tools that reflect the activities offered during each in-person session. Use the tabs below to navigate and participate in six engagement activities. This first round of online engagement is now closed, but you can still use this page to explore project updates and read community members' responses.

Stay tuned for the second round of engagement!

Visioning

My perfect school...

Complete the phrase above, describing what makes a perfect school.

20 December, 2025

Parent says:

no bullying, safe, fun, overwhelming opportunities for performing arts, sports, and hands on experiences. Excellent communication

20 December, 2025

skh says:

is a small school with community presence.

20 December, 2025

mjl1212 says:

Is clean & modern with tech-ready rooms/facilities. Teachers, staff & administrators are competent & qualified, putting students first.

20 December, 2025

H. Zamora says:

Teachers that ensure safety in school & prevent bullying and fighting. Teachers that can actually teach topics & have more control of studen

20 December, 2025

Animeted says:

Is a safe place that builds curiosity

20 December, 2025

Debbie says:

Would not allow bad behavior to rule the environment. Students who want to work, not necessarily the smartest, would get the most resources.

20 December, 2025

Jajacome says:

Supports our teachers and provides a curriculum that teaches life skills. Also provides our teachers with compensation and funding.

20 December, 2025

Jajacome says:

Had better electives selections. Is close to our home and is staffed appropriately. Has a good gym for our kids to enjoy.

19 December, 2025

MC_Hammer says:

Safe. Inviting. Teacher supported. Supports diversity and equity. Innovative. Led by principals who trust and support the experts (teachers)

19 December, 2025

FaithofaMustardSeed says:

is safe, inviting & led by innovative, servant leaders. Employees are valued, paid more, kids/parents are accountable, equity is a reality.

19 December, 2025

OrlLunk says:

safe school with an effective leader as principal. Instructors are motivated and able to teach and not just be a displinarian all the time.

19 December, 2025

Skatiemac says:

supports diverse students, has highly trained, supported and compensated teachers, a robust arts program, less tech, and age appr curriculum

Funding

Programming

Facilities

Transportation

Boundaries

School Connections

Answer the following question: If school boundaries change, what connections matter most?

20 December, 2025

Realistic Parent says:

Diversity always welcome; issue is distance; keep commute times to 20 min or less (bus to <45 min) so kids can do extracurriculars in MS&HS

20 December, 2025

mjl1212 says:

All students in an elem. school should go to the same middle school & all middle school students should go to the same high school.

19 December, 2025

Wonderwoman says:

boundary changes disrupt routines. Schools that protect human connections, stability, and access soften the harm and help students actually

19 December, 2025

FaithofaMustardSeed says:

Kids are resilient. The adults are the ones who need to adjust: -to leaving the neighborhood -to interacting w/diverse people

19 December, 2025

parent says:

keep magnet programs; make schools more equitable socio-economically; reduce overcrowding; home-school commutes = 30 minutes or less

19 December, 2025

Parent says:

Parents should be able to ensure that students can continue in their academic programs and remain in a school with their friends.

19 December, 2025

Lakeshia L says:

Teachers and administration training about demographic of students that will better help them understand each other Mental health program

19 December, 2025

Concerned says:

Having a choice! Not everyone wants a charter in Newberry.we should still have a public school option that does not involve a long bus ride.

19 December, 2025

Brittany says:

Reaching out to parents and keeping them in the loop.

19 December, 2025

KF says:

Proximity to zoned school builds connections with families. Feeder systems should be in place Elem. to middle , middle to high.

19 December, 2025

Me says:

I don't know what you mean by connections. This survey is horrible in so many ways.

19 December, 2025

JB says:

1)Use common sense. 2)HSCS to maintain enough 6-8 students to offer elective choices. 3) projected growth -> no options will push to virtual

Mapping Activity

Frequently Asked Questions:

A Comprehensive School Strategy Plan (CSSP) is a long-range, community-oriented planning document that guides the district's short- and long-term strategies for school programs, student attendance boundaries, and school facilities. While these topics are traditionally addressed in the district's annual 5-Year Work Plan, unique external challenges and pressure have made it necessary to address them in a new way, using both technical data and extensive community input.

If adopted, the effects of the CSSP's recommendations will vary depending on where you are located within the district. Potential recommendations may include changes to student attendance boundaries, the location of magnet programs, and improvements in the district's transportation system.

A key part of drafting a vision-forward CSSP is collecting input from the ACPS community, including current and former students, teachers, staff, and Alachua County residents. Responses from community engagement events will form the basis for recommendations drafted in the CSSP. To share your input, you can attend any scheduled in-person engagement event, submit responses on this website, or send information directly to the team via the project email.

Following two rounds of community engagement in December and February, the final reports and recommendations from the CSSP are expected to be presented to the Board for adoption in mid-March. These materials will also include a short- and long-term implementation strategy, serving as a timeline for when these recommendations will take effect.