The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation Awards Grant Supporting Cybersecurity Academy at Santaluces Community High School

The Education Foundation of Palm Beach County, Inc. and the School District of Palm Beach County’s Department of Choice and Career Options are pleased to announce that The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation has approved a 3-year grant. This grant will provide start-up funding in support of the Cybersecurity Academy at Santaluces Community High School. The program will focus on creating a diverse student pipeline to enter the program and preparing Cybersecurity Academy students to enter the workforce.

James S. Gavrilos, President & CEO of the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County stated, “Today more than ever before we need to provide opportunities for young people for high paying career pathways that don’t always require a college degree. Clearly cybersecurity is a career of the future, and the support of The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation will make sure that the young people of Palm Beach County have this opportunity. In particular, we are so happy that The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation has supported our desire to reach out to students of color and young women encouraging them to look at cybersecurity as a solid career option for their future. This is the future, and we are proud to be a part of it!”

The School District administers six Cybersecurity Academies, at the high school level, serving approximately 6,500 students annually. The Cybersecurity Academy at Santaluces Community High School offers an innovative, integrated learning environment designed to provide students an opportunity to begin a pathway to prepare for post-secondary education and cybersecurity-related careers. The curriculum includes foundational knowledge and skills in computer and network security, security vulnerabilities, attack mechanisms and techniques, intrusion detection and prevention, risk identification, incidence response, access control, and recovery. Specialized courses focus on database security, planning and analysis, software, and web security. Students who graduate from this program will learn the necessary skills to become an Information Security Analyst and can earn a variety of relevant industry certifications required by potential future employers.

“The School District of Palm Beach County is grateful for their partnership with the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County and The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation. The generosity provided by The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation will launch the Cybersecurity Academy at Santaluces Community High School and provide students opportunities for a bright future. We look forward to building this innovative program and creating a pipeline of students who will earn industry certifications and credentials to graduate high school prepared to enter careers fulfilling a local industry need”, stated Jay Boggess Assistant Superintendent of Choice and Innovation with The School District of Palm Beach County.

Funding will be used to support two full time positions (one at the high school, and one district specialist) to focus on building a pipeline of diverse students to enter the program and create pathways to internships and career opportunities for graduating students. Funding will also support cutting edge curriculum and technology including cyber-simulations involving the military, government and other local and national cybersecurity stakeholders. Santaluces Community High School’s Cybersecurity Academy will become the model for others in the County.

“The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation is proud to partner with the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County to prepare students from all backgrounds to enter the workforce and/or begin a post-secondary education,” said Elisabeth DeLuca, President of the DeLuca Foundation. “The Cybersecurity Academy at Santaluces Community High School enables students to learn about a growing career field in their own community and help students earn certifications before they leave high school.”