Donna J. Beasley Technical Academy, a public charter school located in Lehigh Acres, Fla., and a member school of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS), has been named a national finalist for the Future Forward Schools Prize recognizing middle and high schools helping students explore and prepare for future careers.
Beasley Technical Academy is one of ten national finalists and the only Florida charter school in the running for the new prize and fellowship program, with five winning schools to be announced later this year, when they will share $250,000 in prize funding.
Located at 60 Bell Boulevard North in Lehigh Acres, Beasley Technical Academy is designed as a second-chance school and offers a smaller, supportive environment where students learn at their own pace with a technology-based, flexibly-scheduled program. Students at Beasley Technical Academy choose from college, military or trade pathways that lead to career independence and long-term success.
The Future Forward Schools Prize was created by Building Hope in partnership with Britebound. Building Hope is a national nonprofit that supports the growth and success of innovative schools, while Britebound is a national nonprofit working to change the way young people learn about careers and navigate to postsecondary education and career success.
The national initiative highlights schools creating innovative, scalable models for career exploration and career-connected learning. Winning schools ensure students have access to experiences that help them understand their strengths, interests and potential career pathways. National finalists for the 2026 Future Forward Schools Prize include eight charter schools, one public school and one private school.
“The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools congratulates Donna J. Beasley Technical Academy for being one of ten finalists for the Future Forward Schools Prize,” said Robert Haag, President of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools. “Their unique mission and meaningful impact on the students they serve makes them a standout among the nation’s and Florida’s public charter schools.”
About the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools
The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) is the leading charter school membership association in the state. Since its inception in 1999, FCPCS has been dedicated to creating a national model of high quality, accredited public charter schools that are student-centered and performance-driven. FCPCS provides a wide array of technical support, mentoring, training, networking, and purchasing services to its membership, as well as serving as an advocate for all Florida public charter schools.
About Building Hope
Building Hope is a national nonprofit that empowers advancements in education through our work with schools and communities by providing unparalleled facility financing, real estate development, and operational services. We believe a facility should never be the barrier preventing a child from attending a great school. During our 22-year history, Building Hope has supported more than $2 billion in charter school projects. For more information, visit www.buildinghope.org.
About Britebound
Britebound, formerly American Student Assistance (ASA), is a national nonprofit at the forefront of changing the way young people learn about careers and navigate to postsecondary education and career success through access to career readiness information, resources, and experiences for all. Britebound helps middle and high school students to know themselves—their strengths and their interests—and understand their education and career options so that they can make informed decisions. Britebound fulfills its mission by providing free, digital experiences directly to millions of students, and through advocacy, impact investing, research, thought leadership, and philanthropic support for educators, organizations, and others. Britebound fosters a generation of confident, crisis-proof young people who are ready for whatever path comes next after high school. To learn more about Britebound, visit www.britebound.org.
