Pepe Fanjul sends out his deepest congratulations to Glades Academy’s school children, teachers, administrators and board members for the tremendous work they did to achieve the charter school’s first A rating. Pepe Fanjul also recognizes the amazing effort that went into achieving Adequate Yearly Progress for the second consecutive year, as well as in three of the past four school years.
Pepe Fanjul has been closely involved in the school for 10 years. Glades Academy Elementary charter school was founded by Pepe’s wife Emilia Fanjul in 2001 to offer children and parents in the rural communities of western Palm Beach County a wider range of school choice and options for education. Emilia Fanjul serves as chairwoman of the board of the Pahokee school.
The results of the 2010 – 2011 school year show that Glades Academy Elementary school is excelling at both the state and federal levels. The rating system is part of the state of Florida’s A+ Plan, while Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP, is part of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Glades Academy was also the highest rated elementary school in the communities of western Palm Beach County.
Emilia expressed her excitement about the dual achievements, saying, “It is thrilling to reach an A rating and AYP; it shows just how far Glades Academy charter school has grown in its first 10 years. I’m so proud of the nurturing, safe environment our teachers and administrators have created for the students to be able to reach their highest potential. Our staff has done a phenomenal job, and we will keep building on this for the future.”
Pepe Fanjul and Emilia Fanjul have been large sponsors of the school since it was established. They are contributors at the school’s annual benefits, which are also hosted by Emilia. Florida Crystals Corporation (of which Pepe Fanjul is vice chairman of the board, chief operating officer and president) also donated the land where Glades Academy built its brand new school. The school will open this coming school year (2011 – 2012) and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including internet access in all the classrooms and interactive board that will assist students by allowing them to take advantage of the latest educational tools.