Apopka scored four touchdowns across the second and third quarters to defeat Horizon 28-7 Friday night. Freshman quarterback Kai Goodling ran for one touchdown and threw for two more as the Blue Darters combined an explosive offense with multiple defensive takeaways.

UF/IFAS will host a free Landscape, Nursery, and Controlled Plant Production Field Day on September 16 at its Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka. Visitors can tour the facilities, meet researchers, and explore work involving horticulture, controlled-environment agriculture, and space biology.

Federal SNAP reductions could affect Florida classrooms by weakening the formulas that fund free school breakfast and lunch programs. Most Orange County Public Schools students remain covered this year, but declining enrollment in assistance programs could reduce future federal reimbursements.

Orange County Library System offers free ESL classes, conversation groups and online resources for English learners at its North Orange Branch and other locations.

Ninety-six percent of Orange County Public Schools’ 91 Voluntary Prekindergarten sites were rated above expectations or excellent in the state’s latest accountability results. That exceeded the 88% achieved by public-school VPK programs statewide and in Florida’s other large urban districts.

UF/IFAS Extension Orange County will offer a full schedule of educational programs in September covering health, housing, gardening and urban agriculture. Classes are available online and in person, with costs ranging from free to $50.

Florida students and teachers are returning to classrooms with a series of new education laws affecting everything from cursive writing and autism training to grading and student safety. The changes also cover disciplinary records, services for students with disabilities, high school athletics and Florida Virtual School enrollment.

Parents naturally want to help their children succeed—but too much assistance can hinder independence. Prompting gives children the guidance they need to solve problems, build confidence and gradually succeed on their own.

Back-to-school preparation extends beyond purchasing notebooks, backpacks and other classroom essentials. A UF/IFAS expert offers practical ways families can prepare healthy, affordable meals in minutes.

AAA is asking motorists to slow down, avoid distractions, and remain alert as students return to school and traffic increases around campuses and residential neighborhoods. The organization is also urging families to review safety practices for walking, riding the bus, and using e-bikes and e-scooters.

The St. Johns River Water Management District is offering up to $60,000 in Blue School Grant funding for hands-on water education during the 2026-2027 school year. K-12 public and charter school educators within the District may apply for awards of up to $3,000 through 11:59 pm September 15.

Only 44% of Florida children entered kindergarten ready to learn during the 2025-26 school year, according to a new Florida Chamber of Commerce report. Children who completed the state’s Voluntary Prekindergarten program were significantly more likely to arrive prepared.

Florida's monthlong Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday runs through August 20. The tax exemption applies to qualifying school supplies, clothing, backpacks, computers, and other educational items that meet price limits.

Orange County Public Schools has replaced its paper enrollment process with a new online registration system. Families can now enroll students, upload required documents, and monitor their application status entirely online.

Florida's school choice program has grown into one of the nation's largest, serving more than 500,000 students through universal education savings accounts. But a new analysis argues there is still little conclusive evidence that the program has produced statewide academic gains and says accountability concerns remain unresolved.

Orange County will celebrate the opening of its new Innovation Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community open house on Wednesday, July 8. The center will offer technology, makerspace, and workforce development programs designed to serve residents of all ages.

Orange County Public Schools has earned an "A" district grade for the third consecutive year, according to the Florida Department of Education. The district also increased the number of traditional schools receiving an "A" grade and reported no schools earning a "D" or "F."

Orange County Public Schools students showed broad academic improvement on Florida's 2025-26 state assessments, with districtwide gains of four percentage points in English Language Arts and three percentage points in mathematics. OCPS students met or exceeded statewide performance in numerous grade levels and subjects, reflecting what district leaders called the impact of high-quality instruction and sustained academic focus.

A new report from the Network for Public Education ranked Florida last in the nation in legislative support for public schools for the third consecutive year, citing low funding, low teacher pay, and extensive school privatization. However, other national rankings and student achievement data suggest Florida's education system performs better under different evaluation criteria.