Oxbridge Academy (Florida)

Oxbridge Academy is a private coeducational college-preparatory middle and high school in West Palm Beach, Florida. The school, managed by the eponymous Oxbridge Academy Foundation, Inc., serves grades 7–12.[3]

For other uses, see Oxbridge (disambiguation).

Oxbridge Academy Foundation, Inc.
Location
3151 North Military Trail
West Palm Beach, Florida

United States
Coordinates26.7234°N 80.1125°W / 26.7234; -80.1125
Information
TypePrivate
MottoFor A Lifetime
Established2011
NCES School IDA1501048
PrincipalDr. Ralph Maurer
Faculty62[1]
Grades9–12
Enrollment520[2] (2019)
Student to teacher ratio10:1
Color(s)Red, White, Navy Blue
MascotThunderwolf
NicknameThunderwolves
Websitewww.oapb.org

Academics

Computer Science Program

The Computer Science program at Oxbridge consists of a four-year course in Computer Science. Computer Science I consists of studies in Python and basic algorithms. Computer Science II introduces students to programming in Java. Advanced courses in Web Application Development, Unity Game Development, and Data Structures and Algorithms are offered to third and fourth year Computer Science students.[4]

History

The school was funded with a $50 million donation from Bill Koch.[5][6] Koch's goal was to create a school for his own children where academically gifted students of all socioeconomic backgrounds could do hands-on projects and learn by problem solving, a place where students ruled.[3] Oxbridge was opened in under a year on a 45-acre campus that once held a Jewish community center.[3] By 2016 he had spent more than $75 million on the school.[3]

By 2014, the school added a football team at the request of the student body. In April 2016, Mr. Koch announced that Academic Dean John Klemme would serve as the School's president, placing Mr. Parsons on paid leave pending an investigation of harassment claims.[7] Parsons compensation package was worth $1 million, with an annual salary of about $600,000 per year.[3]

On May 27, 2016, Koch fired Parsons and declined to renew the contracts of Director of Athletics Craig Sponsky and the football coach Doug Socha; Koch noted that a "power elites group" in the school "ran the asylum".[8]

In July 2016, David Rosow was elected President and CEO of Oxbridge Academy.[9]

On June 20, 2018, the school announced that it was ending its football program after a number of its players transferred to other schools.[10] The program was revived for the 2023-24 school year.[11]

Athletics recruiting violations

In 2016, the school self-reported athletic recruiting violations and forfeited all athletic victories for the previous two years, including three FHSAA district championships.[12]

Notable alumni

References
  1. Oxbridge Academy Foundation, Inc., Mar. 17, 2019
  2. Quick Facts Oxbridge Academy Foundation, Inc., March. 17, 2019
  3. Frances Robles, Upheaval Amid ‘Alarming’ Revelations at William Koch’s Florida School, The New York Times, June 1, 2016.
  4. "Oxbridge Academy 2018-2019 Course Catolog". Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  5. William Koch page 32 April 2013 Florida Trend magazine
  6. Kevin Thompson Oxbridge Academy near West Palm Beach seeks to be region's 'critical thinking' private school June 5, 2011 Palm Beach Post
  7. Tony Doris Exclusive: Oxbridge CEO on leave, pending internal investigation April 22, 2016 Palm Beach Post
  8. Letter to Oxbridge Community, May 27, 2016, accessed June 1, 2016.
  9. In 4-page letter to parents, Koch says Oxbridge righting its missteps Aug 02, 2016 Palm Beach Post
  10. Wells Dusenbury Oxbridge Academy shutting down football program this fall June 20, 2018 Sun-Sentinel
  11. "Oxbridge Academy prepares for first football season since 2017". WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  12. Palm Beach Post: Financial aid inconsistencies root of Oxbridge sports teams’ forfeits, August 2, 2016, accessed August 20, 2016.
  13. Shweky |, Brett (30 December 2019). "Travis Homer: Weekly homegrown spotlight on Seattle Seahawks running back". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  14. "Barron Trump to attend exclusive school near Mar-a-Lago". AP News. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
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