Unlimited Potential Initiative

Why UPI?

Florida’s most underserved schools face significant educational disparities, with over 65% of K-12 students classified as economically disadvantaged—a figure that skyrockets to between 78 and 100 percent in the lowest-performing schools. These schools often struggle with under-resourced environments, leading to chronic issues like low graduation rates and poor student well-being. UPI addresses this imbalance by implementing innovative, interdisciplinary partnerships aimed at meeting the academic needs and wellness of students, families, and entire communities. By embedding universities directly into the fabric of these schools, UPI drives long-term, sustainable change.

UPI's National Connection

Recognizing the evolving landscape of community schools nationwide, UPI aligns with recommendations from leading institutions like the Brookings Institution, propelling Florida further onto the national stage as a beacon for supportive learning environments.

UCF's Leadership Role

The UCF Center for Community Schools leads the initiative, overseeing grant management, technical assistance, and program strategies, offering training, and guiding implementation of UPI throughout Florida's school environments. Through this initiative, regional partners receive tailored technical assistance, access to an online Training Academy, and a collaborative platform for best practices to address their unique needs. The center ensures that each partner university receives the training, support, and resources needed to establish sustainable partnerships with their local schools and conducts regular evaluation and progress monitoring to ensure the initiative is on track to meet its goals.

A Look Ahead

A total of 40 school sites across four Florida districts will partner with universities over five years, including the University of Central Florida (UCF) with Orange County Public Schools, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) with Leon County Schools and the DRS district, Florida International University (FIU) with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and University of South Florida (USF) with Hillsborough County Public Schools

These selected sites will undergo needs assessments and asset mapping to identify three areas for enhancement and two new programs to implement, focusing on building capacity and aligning university resources to support the school communities effectively.

Envisioning a National UPI Effect

As we work with up to 40 schools over the next five years, we are laying the groundwork for a nationwide movement that demonstrates the power of collaboration between higher education and K-12 schools. With its scalability and adaptability, the UACS model is poised to guide educational policy reform and set a precedent for nationwide change.

The Ongoing Journey

Our vision is bold: The Unlimited Potential Initiative is more than just a program; it’s a commitment to create lasting change in education across Florida. By building an expansive university-school district network of community schools delivering holistic educational services, we are fostering environments where students, families, and educators are empowered to thrive. We dream of a future where community schools, with university support, become havens for all-around development and wellness, blending educational excellence with community engagement to unleash unlimited potential in all students.

Together, we create thriving ecosystems of opportunity, learning and growth.

This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Grant No. S215J230052. The contents of this document were developed by the Primary Investigators communications. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3 and 3474).

*Existing community schools