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About the Education Effect

The Education Effect is a university-assisted community school initiative dedicated to unlocking the full potential of K–12 students and the communities that support them. Through bold partnerships and collective action, we expand access to opportunities that inspire academic achievement, open pathways to post-secondary success, and foster thriving, resilient communities.

Everything achieved by The Education Effect is powered by people who believe in the potential of students, families, and communities across Miami-Dade County. Our work is made possible through the collective commitment of individuals, organizations, schools, and partners who invest their time, expertise, and energy to create meaningful and lasting impact.

That vision comes to life through collaboration among Florida International University, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, community-based organizations, educators, advocates, and university partners. Through our partnership with the Unlimited Potential Initiative led by the University of Central Florida, alongside partners at Florida A&M University and the University of South Florida, The Education Effect continues to expand and strengthen the university-assisted community school model across South Florida. This work also includes supporting Community Partnership Schools as enhancement sites, ensuring schools and communities receive the coordinated resources, relationships, and opportunities needed to help every student thrive.

Our History

2011
FIU and Miami-Dade County Public Schools establishes The Education Effect to improve educational outcomes in schools throughout Liberty City. Sparked by a three-year, $1 million investment from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, our partnership connected Miami Northwestern Senior High School with its feeder elementary and middle schools.

2014
The initiative expands into Overtown thanks to a $1 million seed investment from The Lennar Foundation. Focused on promoting 100% graduation, improving college and career readiness, and increasing engagement of parents and the community, special emphasis was placed on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), including enhancing the school’s existing Engineering Academy.

2016
The initiative expands into Little Haiti, made possible  by a $2 million donation from local philanthropist Rose Ellen Greene, a longtime volunteer at Jesse J. McCrary Jr. Elementary School (JJM). The expansion into JJM marks the first time the program works holistically with students, parents, and the community, incorporating researchers, faculty, and staff from FIU’s Center for Children & Families.

2020
The Office of Student Access & Success secures a five-year, $2.5 million Full-Service Community School grant from the Department of Education to continue our work across nine schools in Liberty City, Overtown and Little Haiti. FIU also entered into a partnership with the Children’s Home Society of Florida to be the higher education partner for three new Community Partnership Schools (CPS) in southern Miami-Dade.

2024
The Education Effect expands into six additional Miami-Dade public schools through a collaborative Full-Service Community School state scaling grant. FIU receives a five-year regional award from the USDOE, totaling $9.3 million, of which $7.3 million is sub-awarded to Miami-Dade County Public Schools.