A new ranking by Niche has named Seminole County Schools as the top-ranked public school district in Florida.

A student riding a school bus to Teague Middle School was injured after a tree branch broke through the bus window, according to a news release from Seminole County Public Schools.

An increase in social media rumors about school threats has Seminole County officials urging parents to talk to their kids about the consequences of making threatening remarks in the wake of a school shooting last week in Georgia.

Seminole County Public Schools is giving a major upgrade to a program that prepares students for careers in the healthcare industry.

Seminole County Public Schools is in the process of getting much of the $1.3 million stolen last December by cybersecurity scammers will be recovered, according to the district’s superintendent.

Orange County Public Schools will offer free meals to students and children 18 and younger throughout the summer.

Students with a water gun forced officials at Winter Springs High School to put the school on a brief Code Red on Monday afternoon, according to a news release.

Seminole County Public Schools is launching a pilot program to help keep better track of school bus riders.

Officials with Orange County Public Schools confirmed that they are considering changes in their student absence notification system after the death of 13-year-old Madeline Soto.

Seminole County Public Schools, the Seminole County Sheriff's Office, and U.S. Secret Service are trying to find out what happened to more than $1 million of funds after the district fell victim to a scam.

Three Sanford-area schools have canceled their classes for Wednesday due to a water main break on Tuesday afternoon, according to Seminole County Public Schools.

Three people were injured in a bus crash in Seminole County, according to officials.

If you are looking for a discount car, truck, sunglasses or even office equipment there is one place to find it all.

A Lake Brantley High School student riding his bicycle was hit by a school bus in Seminole County, according to the school district.

In a video announcement, SCPS Superintendent Serita Beamon and Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma discussed the new measure, which is aimed at improving classroom safety.

A hydrogen peroxide leak prompted the partial closure of a road near Crystal Lake Elementary School, according to Seminole County Public Schools.

AP Psychology will be offered in full to students of Seminole County Public Schools for the 2023-24 school year, according to Superintendent Serita Beamon.

Seminole County Public Schools released a warning to parents on Tuesday about a digital app that students could be using.

After the College Board announced Florida schools should not offer AP Psychology courses over the state’s requirement to exclude its gender and human sexuality unit, Seminole County Public Schools said it is offering its students an alternative course that would fulfill college credit requirements.

Some schools in Central Florida will offer free meals for every student this school year.

Days after one Central Florida school district said that all students will receive free meals for the upcoming school year, Seminole County Public Schools announced why it is not eligible to do the same.

Lake Howell High School seeks to be named the “most spirited high school” in the U.S.

Racial slurs and vulgar images were spray-painted on Lake Mary High School.

At least seven Lake Brantley High School seniors are devastated after they were denied entry to their prom on Saturday.

A crisis response team made up of licensed mental health counselors and school social workers will be available to students in Seminole County this week following the death of a student.

Workers with Seminole County Public Schools began filling student wish lists on Monday, which was the last day to drop off donations for the Giving Tree program.

A Seminole County bus driver was arrested Thursday afternoon on accusations of child abuse on their bus earlier this week, according to Seminole County Public Schools.

Law enforcement activity at a shopping center in Seminole County is creating traffic delays Thursday morning.

Law enforcement is investigating after a social media threat was posted online against Lyman High School, according to Seminole County Public Schools.

A student was arrested Thursday after Winter Springs High School was placed on a code red lockdown amid a shooting scare during which the campus was secured and no injuries were reported, officials said.

Seminole County Public Schools is inviting members of the public to attend a preview event Tuesday evening to look at instructional materials for the district's social studies classes, district officials said.

A long-time member of the Red Apple Dining team died Monday after being found unresponsive at Geneva Elementary School, according to Seminole County Public Schools.

Seminole County Fire Department personnel on Friday suited up and rolled out to deliver a care package of classroom essentials for teachers and students to use for free throughout the new school year.

Seminole County Public Schools announced Monday that the district will require parents and guardians to provide consent for school staff to provide first-aid to their children.

Parents are experiencing sticker shock as they head to stores to complete their back-to-school shopping.

Thousands of Central Florida families who relied on free meals at school throughout the pandemic will have to apply for the benefit starting this next school year, but there are options for the summer.

The Seminole County School Board has voted to cancel their plans for a proclamation supporting LGBTQ+ students and staff at Seminole County Public Schools

Central Florida schools are reinforcing security measures in reaction to the deadly shooting of 19 children and two adults at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

Following the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 18 students and 3 adults, several Central Florida school districts have announced special measures to ensure students safety as the school year wraps up.

The Seminole County Public Schools board voted unanimously Tuesday night to put disclaimer stickers in the yearbook instead of covering three photos from a student-led walkout with stickers.

The material in question are photos and captions documenting a student walk-out in March, a response to the Parental Rights in Education law, also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law.

A bucket truck struck a Seminole County Public Schools bus, causing it to hit another truck in Geneva, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Seminole County Public Schools is naming a building at Sanford Middle School on Wednesday in honor of the first African American student who integrated schools in the district nearly 60 yeas ago.

Extra mental health counselors were brought in to Seminole High School on Thursday as a result of Wednesday’s shooting where a student was injured.

Chardo Richardson with the Seminole County Bus Driver’s Association said they are still in negotiations with the school district when it comes to higher wages.

Seminole County Public Schools announced monetary incentives for new bus drivers in the district Wednesday.

Oviedo High School teacher, Alexander Busby receives 2022 FMEA Exemplary Model Project Award.

Seminole County Public Schools will make masks optional for everyone, according to district officials.

The 2022 Seminole County Public Schools teacher of the year will join the U.S. Air Force in flight on Friday.

Officials with Seminole County Public Schools said they’ve seen kids damaging things in the bathroom like sinks, soap dispensers and even toilets at almost every middle and high school in the district.

The temporary restriction on visitors at Seminole County Public Schools has been extended through Oct. 9, according to district officials.

The Seminole County School Board did not make changes to the mask policy during a special meeting Thursday.

Seminole County Public Schools report 16.7% of students have opted out of wearing masks in class.

Parents can opt out of the requirement by sending a written note with their signature with their student on the first day of school, the district said.

As coronavirus cases and hospitalizations rise in Central Florida, Seminole County Public Schools will require all employees to wear masks.

As the first day of school approaches, some districts in Central Florida are still trying to hire bus drivers to transport students to school.

Seminole County Public School is giving parents an extra week to sign their students up for Seminole County Virtual School.

The Seminole County Public Schools held training sessions on Tuesday to teach and review campus cleaning protocols for the upcoming school year.

There's a new leader at Seminole County Public Schools. Serita Beaman officially took over Thursday as the district's new superintendent.

Seminole County Public Schools is the latest Central Florida district to vote on its mask policy for the next school year.

A code red was issued for Jackson Heights Middle School in Oviedo Monday afternoon, according to a message issued by the district.

A vehicle connected to the death of a woman whose body was found along a Volusia County trail led to a shooting in Sanford that prompted a school lockdown, authorities said.

No students were injured Tuesday afternoon when the school bus they were on caught fire, according to district officials.

Seminole County school district leaders say more and more students are requiring mental health services.

UPDATE: Seminole County school officials have moved all 2021 graduations to UCF’s football stadiums, meaning the dates and times below may no longer apply. SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County Public Schools announced graduation dates for the class of 2021 Friday. “As we get closer to the date, if CDC and local guidelines prohibit large gatherings, we will schedule an alternate date for a socially distanced ceremony on our campuses,” a Seminole County Public Schools official said in a news release. [TRENDING: Gov: Vaccine coming to Florida ‘relatively soon’ | CDC: Avoid Thanksgiving travel | Georgia presidential race recount results]Below are the dates, times and locations for the class of 2021. AdTuesday, May 18, 2021Hagerty High School, 9:00 a.m., at Addition Financial Arena at UCFLake Howell High School, 2:00 p.m., at Addition Financial Arena at UCFWednesday, May 19, 2021Oviedo High School, 9:00 a.m., at Addition Financial Arena at UCFLyman High School, 2:00 p.m., at Addition Financial Arena at UCFTuesday, May 25, 2021Lake Brantley High School, 9:00 a.m., at Addition Financial Arena at UCFWinter Springs High School, 2:00 p.m., at Addition Financial Arena at UCFWednesday, May 26, 2021Lake Mary High School, 9:00 a.m., at Addition Financial Arena at UCFSeminole High School, 2:00 p.m., at Addition Financial Arena at UCFThursday, May 27, 2021Crooms AOIT, 1:00 p.m., at Crooms AOIT

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – ***8:48 p.m. Feb. 23, 2021 UPDATE***During the middle of a school board meeting on Feb. 23, school board member Dr. Tina Calderone said there was not enough discussion on who should be the next superintendent. A special school board meeting will be held at a future date to announce the next superintendent. ***ORIGINAL***The Seminole County School Board announced Chad Farnsworth will be the next superintendent of the district. The announcement came after Farnsworth received three votes and SCPS attorney Serita D. Beamon received two votes during a school board meeting on Tuesday. Farnsworth has been the assistant superintendent of the Lake County School District since 2017.

Spencer Jensen, music teacher at the Legacy Preparatory Academy receives the COVID-19 vaccine at the Davis County Legacy Center Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, in Farmington, Utah. Utah began vaccinating teachers and school staff across the state. They are aiming to have all teachers and school staff vaccinated by the end of February. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County Public Schools will offer coronavirus vaccine shots to its elderly employees during an event next week. [TRENDING: Mega Millions jackpot hits $750M | Fla. firefighter charged in Capitol riot | How to get vaccine in Fla. | Gun background checks skyrocket]The vaccine is free and optional.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Wednesday’s violent events in the nation’s Capitol building are now serving as a teachable moment for educators across Seminole County Public Schools. “It’s one of those things that you have two sides that are so polarized. Ask them what they saw, what they felt, what their perception was of what happened; that’ll give you a better understanding of where to start that discussion,” Patel said. “In general, children can keep their emotions to themselves, especially when they’re trying to process -- know what’s right or wrong. “Especially talking about teenagers, they are themselves activists but what is a peaceful protest and where do you draw the line?,” she asked.

Seminole County school officials are working to contact trace students at Lake Mary High School after reports of multiple positive cases. According to officials, seven people at Lake Mary High School tested positive for COVID-19. Other high schools also saw high quarantine numbers last week. Two cases at Hagerty High School led to 112 students in quarantine and 135 students were asked to quarantine at Lake Brantley High School. According to officials, some students were involved in extracurriculars which is why the number of students needing to self quarantine is higher than usual.

This is a strong reminder for middle and high school parents in Seminole County. If you’re child received a spam email recently on their student account, delete it right away. “It’s very concerning as a parent and I don’t appreciate it,” said Hagerty High School parent Betty Jackson. Jackson said she couldn’t believe the inappropriate spam messages that her daughter, a freshman at Hagerty High, received in recent days. Seminole County Public Schools sent a message to high school parents over the weekend, saying it’s aware of students getting spam emails and believes the emails could have malware.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Central Florida school districts are responding after the Florida Department of Education announced Wednesday the state is allowing districts to continue distance and remote learning for the spring semester. News 6 contacted local school districts to get their reactions. Seminole County Public Schools spokesperson Michael Lawrence said this will allow students, parents and teachers to continue having more learning options. Currently school districts receive the same amount of funding per student if they’re learning face to face or remotely. Lawrence said school districts need those funds to continue offering remote learning options.

OCALA, Fla. – Several Central Florida school districts have canceled classes because of potential impacts from Tropical Storm Eta. The Sumter County School District said its schools will be closed Thursday but classes will resume Friday. UCF is monitoring Tropical Storm #Eta and its possible impacts in Central Florida, which could begin on Thursday morning. — UCF 😷 (@UCF) November 11, 2020Classes at the University of Florida were canceled Thursday and the campus will be closed, according to the university. UF Alert UF classes canceled, campus offices closed Thursday, Nov. 12 because of TS Eta.

SANFORD COUNTY, Fla. – The second nine weeks kicked off on Monday for Seminole County Public Schools, which means thousands of additional students returned to the classrooms for face-to-face learning. Wilbert McFadden said his third grade son, who goes to Midway Elementary School, said he’s doing much better in school rather than doing virtual learning at home. Now with more kids returning for the second nine weeks, McFadden said he’s not too concerned about the virus anymore. The district said more than 4,500 Seminole County students who had been learning virtually, opted to come back to brick and mortar schools. News 6 spoke to the Seminole County Medical Director Dr. Todd Husty last week, he explained the district is confident safety can be maintained in schools.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County Public Schools say they are ready to welcome back more than 4,500 students to face-to-face for the start of the second nine weeks beginning on Monday. Seminole Schools added nearly 6,000 of the 26,529 students learning remotely through the Seminole Connect program will not change their method of learning. Some of that extra stock in PPE is partly thanks to Seminole County giving SCPS an additional $5 million in federal CARES Act money. Seminole County Public Schools is not transparent regarding information on what the plan is to return students to the classroom. In response, Seminole County Schools said the plan to allow for parents to have this choice at the second quarter was the plan since the beginning of the second quarter.

SANFORD, Fla. – More than 4,500 students have opted to return to Seminole County campuses next month after spending the first nine weeks taking classes online, according to school district officials. Seminole County Public Schools spokesman Michael Lawrence said Thursday that 4,546 students chose face-to-face learning for the next nine weeks of school. Nearly 6,000 of the 26,529 students learning remotely through the Seminole Connect program will not change their method of learning. The news comes days after Orange County announced that 15,792 of their students are changing from learning virtually to face-to-face. CHANGING OPTIONS: Thousands of more OCPS students are switching to face-to-face learning for the second nine weeks.

SANFORD, Fla. – A 12-year-old student was identified and located Tuesday in connection with a threat at a Seminole County middle school, officials said. Seminole County Public Schools said a student made a threat to Millennium Middle School and authorities investigated the credibility of the claim. “There is no threat to the Millennium campus,” school officials said in an updated message sent to parents. There was an extra presence of law enforcement officials on campus due to the threat, which was deemed non-credible. At this time, law enforcement is presently investigating the credibility and source out of an abundance of caution.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Students in Seminole County Public Schools will not be required to be inside the classroom for their nine-week assessments. The change comes after families recently filled out a survey regarding the students' return to the classroom. “Students will no longer be required to return to campus to participate in the assessment,” a letter sent to parents Friday said. “We are learning and we must be flexible to best support your student’s instruction,” school officials said. “We appreciate your understanding and flexibility in these challenging times.”The school said more information will soon be available regarding the changes.

SANFORD, Fla. Seminole County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Walt Griffin will resign at the end of the 2020-21 school year, officials announced Friday. Griffin, a one-time teacher and Florida Principal of the year in 2003, was appointed as superintendent in 2012. Last year, Griffin was named CTE Superintendent of the Year by the Florida Association for Career and Technical Education. Griffin and his wife, Lori, have been married over 30 years. They have two married children, one granddaughter and two grandsons.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. The number of people Seminole County Public Schools has asked to quarantine this academic year stands at 179 Wednesday, up from 158 on Tuesday. Of the new possible COVID-19 exposures, 13 were at Bear Lake Elementary School, officials said. The district on Wednesday also upped the number of individuals in quarantine at Lake Brantley High School from 51 to 70. Michael Lawrence, communications officer for Seminole County Public Schools, said the confirmed cases include both teachers and students. The number of cases and quarantines associated with Seminole County schools is expected to fluctuate daily.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. Seminole County Public Schools has asked 102 people to quarantine after coming in contact with a student who tested positive for COVID-19, the district said Tuesday. Number of people exposed to COVID-19 at Seminole County schools:Hagerty High School: 11Lake Brantley High School: 18Lawton Elementary School: 21Lyman High School: 26Teague Middle School: 11Wilson Elementary School: 15These reports are in addition to the 51 people across the district asked to self-quarantine last week. Lake Mary Elementary and Lake Brantley High reported the presence of COVID-19 on campus last week. As of Tuesday, Lake Brantley High School has 51 people self-quarantining. The district says by its count, there are 153 people in precautionary quarantine since school started on Aug. 17.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. About one week after students returned to their classrooms for face-to-face learning in Seminole County, district officials said 12 people had tested positive for COVID-19. Michael Lawrence, the communications officer for Seminole County Public Schools, said the positive COVID-19 cases include both teachers and students. Lawrence said most of those who are infected had a test prior to the start of the school year and are just now receiving their results. Lawrence said for those students and teachers who are quarantining, the district has helped them pivot to using Seminole Connect, the countys remote learning platform. He also said the number of cases changes daily as the district continues to receive updated reports, and that as the number of cases changes, the number of those in quarantine will also change.

News 6 reached out to local school districts to see if they plan on changing their strategy. Several school districts said they are reviewing the judges order and it’s too early to say. Marion CountyA spokesperson with the Marion County school district pointed to their delayed start date, saying they’ve started the school year two weeks after originally planned. Osceola County“The Osceola School District will continue to offer three options: face-to-face learning, digital learning, and Osceola Virtual School,” a spokesperson said. This story will be updated as more school districts respond.

LAKE MARY, Fla. More than a dozen people were asked to self-quarantine Wednesday after an individual with the novel coronavirus was on the Lake Mary Elementary School campus. All people who had contact with the person who tested positive were notified, which is part of the districts safety protocols due to COVID-19. Seminole County schools welcomed students back to campuses this week for the first time since the spring when COVID-19 first arrived in Florida. Two fifth-grade teachers at Altamonte Springs Elementary School are self-quarantining after one of them tested positive for COVID-19 a day or two before students returned to class, officials said. All other fifth-grade teachers at Altamonte Springs Elementary are instructing students via Seminole Connect and did not have to quarantine, according to the school district.

ORLANDO, Fla. The FHSAA board of directors is meeting Friday in Gainesville, with the goal of finalizing the fall sports calendar for Florida schools. Currently, fall sports can start practice August 24, although many school districts in Central Florida will start later than that. Orange County has not determined a start date, and Brevard County said it will not start practices -- for now. Below are two options the FHSAA board will consider for the 2020-21 sports calendar: Option 1: The first date of practice is Aug. 24. The regular season is five weeks with the fall practice not starting until Nov. 30.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. Schools across Seminole County had full parking lots and school buses on campus Friday as teachers and staff prepare for schools to reopen Monday. Outside Pine Crest Elementary School in Sanford, families lined up to pick up laptops and materials for their kids who opted for the online or hybrid options. But we're happy we have Seminole connect because both my kids will be doing it," said Lissette Abellino. Seminole County Superintendent Walt Griffin said about 44% of students will be back in the classroom Monday. Well have some technology issues on Monday, schedules will have issues, but thats not unusual for the start of school, said Griffin.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Students in Seminole County are one week away from beginning the semester either virtually or in person and ahead of that, education leaders offered a sneak peek at what schools will look like. Virtual Classes: 8,687 (12.87%)Hybrid: 6,417 (9.51%)Transfer to Seminole County Virtual School: 609 (0.9%)The semester is scheduled to begin Aug. 17 in Seminole County. (Seminole County Public Schools)Seminole County has purchased 25,000 desk partitions for schools. (Seminole County Public Schools)Seminole County has purchased 25,000 desk partitions for schools. (Seminole County Public Schools)Signs across campus will remind students to social distance.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. Red Apple Dining, the dining service function of Seminole County Public Schools, ended its curbside free meal service for families Thursday, in order to prepare for the scheduled Aug. 17 reopening of schools. Since Mid-March, Red Apple Dining handed out more than 830,000 boxes of breakfast and lunch, served with a side of simpler times. Updated numbers from Seminole County Public Schools still show quite a few students plan to opt out of face-to-face learning, at least for the beginning of the fall semester. Visit http://www.SCPSMealApp.com to apply... Posted by Red Apple Dining on Monday, July 27, 2020Its not going away completely, its just relocating, Dillon said. "In addition, we will have meals ready and prepared for those who optioned to do remote learning," Red Apple Dining communications specialist Kaylyn Akeley said.

ORLANDO, Fla. ORLANDO, Fla. -- Central Florida school districts are answering the question: What would happen if someone tests positive for the coronavirus on campus? "We do have contingency plans," said Seminole County Public Schools spokesman Michael Lawrence. News 6 examined the reopening proposals of school districts in nine counties: Orange, Seminole, Volusia, Brevard, Osceola, Lake, Sumter, Flagler and Marion. "Just like we did on a dime at the end of last school year." Orange County Public Schools told News 6 they were still finalizing their protocols for this situation.

OVIEDO, Fla. Transportation officials at Seminole County Public Schools said the district is in need of school bus drivers. Stan McKinzie, of the school districts transportation services, explained its typical to see a shortage every school year. We have approximately 330 bus drivers. We are about 25-30 bus drivers short, but we are usually like that every year, he said. On Thursday, bus drivers were seen practicing some of the new safety procedures that will be put in place for students riding the bus to and from school.

Orange County Public Schools’ board will be voting tomorrow on three options that will then be passed on to parents to select from. “It’s a big week, it’s an important week,” said Scott Howat, Orange County Public Schools chief communications officer. “The last work session was the most viewed work session or board meeting that we had ever had,” Howat said. Seminole County Public Schools’ board will be conducting two meetings on Tuesday. Seminole County Public Schools said both meetings can be viewed online.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – As Central Florida schools transition to distance learning due to concerns about the coronavirus, staff will be busy making sure students are fed until they return to the classroom. Seminole County Public Schools will be providing free breakfast and lunch meals for students 18-years-old and younger. The county has extended its community meals stops, all locations are at the bottom of this story. PICK-UP LOCATIONSLocations in Seminole County providing free meals to students during extended break. Seminole County Public Schools (WKMG 2020)To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6′s coronavirus newsletter or go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Spring break has been extended by an extra week for all Florida students due to concerns about the coronavirus. [RELATED: 5 things you need to know about COVID-19 | Orlando Airport to see significant drop in passengers beginning Monday, officials say]Many school districts had already taken steps to cancel all extracurricular activities but up until now, all Central Florida school districts had planned to resume operations as usual after the spring break vacation. I’m not faulting the school districts, this is unprecedented and they don’t have a manual to go by," Smith said. “We are working with the USDA on authority to provide schools with flexible options to make school meals available. Most of all, we are standing with Florida’s schools and families to ensure no child goes hungry while schools are out.”To enroll, call 1-844-488-8395.