Meals will be available at Branford Elementary and Suwannee High School Monday–Thursday with breakfast being offered from 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Weekend meals may be picked up on Thursdays from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Please note: SCSD will be closed on Thursday, July 2. Families may pick up weekend meals on Wednesday, July 1 instead.
The Suwannee County School District, my choice for high quality education!
Please note this scheduling change when planning visits to any SCSD campus or office this summer.
The Suwannee County School District, my choice for high quality education!
Advanced Placement success continues to shine in the Suwannee County School District!
We are proud to recognize the outstanding academic achievements of our students during the 2025–2026 school year:
13 AP Scholars
4 AP Scholars with Honors
13 AP Scholars with Distinction
These prestigious recognitions are awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional performance on Advanced Placement (AP) Exams:
📘 AP Scholar – Earned by students who score 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.
📗 AP Scholar with Honors – Earned by students who maintain an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and score 3 or higher on four or more exams.
📙 AP Scholar with Distinction – Earned by students who maintain an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and score 3 or higher on five or more exams.
Congratulations to these outstanding students for their hard work paying off!
The Suwannee County School District, my choice for high quality education!
Today, we're featuring John Medina, a 1982 graduate of Suwannee High School. Originally from the Dominican Republic, John moved to Florida at the age of 10 and quickly became an active member of the Suwannee community. A Hall of Fame member of the Class of 1982, he earned varsity letters in multiple sports while also participating in numerous academic, social, and service organizations.
Today, John serves as President & Chief Executive Officer of First Federal Bank. Throughout his career, he has held executive leadership positions in banking, served as an Army Light Infantry Officer in the Army Reserves and Florida National Guard, and has dedicated countless hours to community service through Rotary, education, business, and nonprofit leadership. In 2025, he was recognized by Florida Trend as one of Florida's 500 Most Influential Business Leaders.
When asked about the impact SCSD had on him, John shared:
"Coming to this country (Live Oak) and Suwannee Elementary at the age of ten and not knowing the language or culture could have been a catastrophic setback in my life. The only words I knew in English were “Please” and “Thank You”. What I know today that I didn’t realize then is that God was exposing me to role models and mentors who would shape the rest of my life. From elementary school to middle school to high school, it was my teachers and coaches who became my role models and mentors, not just in academia, but in the fundamentals of life. I became a product of the SCSD assembly line and developed talents like a strong work ethic, faith, values, character, teamwork, conation, and so many others. SCSD prepared me not only for my post-high school academic journey, but for a lifetime of learning and having the value system to do good in the community, state, nation and world."
Thank you, John, for representing Suwannee County so well and for demonstrating that hard work, service to others, and a commitment to lifelong learning can open doors to incredible opportunities.
The Suwannee County School District, my choice for high quality education!
These experiences help students explore future careers in science, technology, engineering, and more.
✔️ STEM Learning
✔️ Technology
✔️ Innovation
✔️ Future Careers
Creating opportunities for tomorrow’s innovators.
The Suwannee County School District, my choice for high quality education!
✅ 93 students passed 165 AP exams
🎓 Earning approximately 500 college credit hours before graduating high school!
Congratulations to all of our AP students on this outstanding achievement!
The Suwannee County School District, my choice for high quality education!
📅 Tuesday, July 28
🕢 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
📍 SCSD Board Room
✔️ Required for all instructional and non-instructional employees
🍳 Breakfast and 🥪 lunch will be provided
📅 Wednesday, July 29
🕣 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
📍 SCSD Resource Center
✔️ Instructional employees only
🍽️ Lunch will be on your own
If you have any questions, please contact us at (386) 647-4634 or (386) 647-4641.
We look forward to welcoming you and helping you get off to a great start with SCSD!
The Suwannee County School District, my choice for high quality education!
Branford Elementary School is currently seeking a Guidance Counselor to help support the academic, social, and emotional success of our students.
For more information and to view current openings, visit the Suwannee County School District employment page.
The Suwannee County School District, my choice for high quality education!
This summer, we’re celebrating the amazing alumni of Suwannee County School District and the journeys they’ve taken since graduation.
Today, we’re featuring Elizabeth Valdez, a 2023 graduate of the Practical Nursing Program at RIVEROAK Technical College. Since graduation, she has gone on to be a LPN in the Medical-Surgical and Wound Care departments at Madison Hospital.
When asked about the impact SCSD had on her, Valdez shared:
“I fell in love with nursing as a child, and that passion has only grown stronger over the years. Attending the LPN program at RIVEROAK Technical College gave me the knowledge, skills, and confidence to turn my lifelong dream into reality. Today, I am honored to serve as a LPN, providing compassionate, Patient-centered care in Medical-Surgical and Wound Care. Nursing is more than a career to me, It is a calling to care for others with empathy, excellence, and integrity every day.”
Valdez shared her favorite memory while enrolled in the Practical Nursing Program at RIVEROAK:
“I remember going through difficult times at the beginning of the LPN program. There were moments when I questioned whether I could keep going, but one person made a lasting difference in my journey. Suzanne Depew showed me incredible compassion, understanding, and encouragement during one of the hardest seasons of my life. She believed in me when I struggled to believe in myself and continually reminded me not to give up. Her support gave me the strength to persevere and keep pursuing my dream. ”
One accomplishment Valdez is especially proud of since graduating is:
“I am incredibly proud to be a nurse and grateful for the opportunity to help care for others every day. One of the greatest joys of my career is mentoring nursing students when they come to my department for their clinical rotations. I remember how challenging it was to be in their shoes, learning new skills, building confidence, and overcoming the fear of making mistakes. Because of those experiences, I strive to be the kind of nurse and mentor who is patient, encouraging, and willing to teach. I want every student to feel supported, ask questions without fear, and leave my unit with greater confidence and knowledge.”
And for current SCSD students, Valdez offers this advice:
“My advice is to trust God and never give up. There will be days when the journey feels difficult, when the workload seems overwhelming, and when the weight of the world feels heavy. During those moments, remember why you started. Keep trusting God, keep moving forward, and don't let temporary challenges stop you from reaching your purpose. Go out into the world and become the best version of yourself. Nursing is more than a career. It's an opportunity to serve others, bring hope, and make a lasting impact, one person at a time. ”
Thank you, Elizabeth, for representing SCSD so well and for inspiring the next generation of students.
The Suwannee County School District, my choice for high quality education!
The Suwannee County School District, my choice for high quality education!
Our schools work to support leadership development, life skills, character growth, and student well-being alongside classroom success.
✔️ Academic Growth
✔️ Leadership
✔️ Life Skills
✔️ Whole Child
Preparing students for success in school and in life.
The Suwannee County School District, my choice for high quality education!
Regular district operations will resume following the holiday on Monday, July 6th.
The Suwannee County School District, my choice for high quality education!
Apply at newworldsreading.com.
While we celebrate this milestone, we also remain committed to continuous improvement and helping every student reach their full potential. Thank you to everyone who makes this success possible! Together, we are building brighter futures.
The Suwannee County School District, my choice for high quality education!
Today, we’re featuring Cayla Derringer, a 2013 graduate of Branford High School. Since walking the halls of SCSD, she has gone on to Advanced Practice Registered Nurse at Healthcare Institute of North Florida.
When asked about the impact SCSD had on her, Derringer shared:
“One of the biggest advantages of attending Branford high school was the support from the teachers and staff. They truly knew their students and genuinely cared about our success. Their encouragement, guidance, and belief in me helped shape who I am today. I’m grateful for the relationships I built and the strong foundation they provided as I pursued my goals.”
One accomplishment Derringer is especially proud of since graduating is:
“I am most proud of the career I have built and the ability to provide for my family. Reaching my goals has taken hard work and perseverance, but being able to support the people I love and create a better future for us makes it all worthwhile. Looking back, I’m proud of how much I’ve grown both personally and professionally.”
And for current SCSD students, Derringer offers this advice:
“Work hard, stay open to new opportunities, and take advantage of the resources available to you. Programs like dual enrollment can help you earn college credits early, save money, and get a head start on your future goals. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or guidance from your teachers and staff—they want to see you succeed. At the same time, don’t forget to enjoy being young. You only get one childhood, and you have the rest of your life to be an adult. Make memories, spend time with friends and family, and enjoy the experiences that make these years special while still working toward your goals.”
Thank you, Cayla, for representing SCSD so well and for inspiring the next generation of students.
The Suwannee County School District, my choice for high quality education!
Our Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs help students gain valuable experience, discover their passions, and prepare for future careers through real-world learning opportunities.
✔️ Career Paths
✔️ Hands-On
✔️ Real Skills
✔️ Future Ready
Preparing students for success beyond the classroom.
The Suwannee County School District, my choice for high quality education!
We believe Suwannee County Schools is among the first districts in Florida to reach an agreement for the upcoming school year. This achievement reflects the collaborative relationship between District leadership and the Suwannee River Service Unit, as well as our shared commitment to supporting educators.
At Suwannee County Schools, we know that great schools begin with great teachers. By reaching an agreement early, we can provide certainty for our employees and continue focusing on student achievement.
We appreciate the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the negotiation process. Together, we remain committed to creating an environment where teachers feel valued, supported, and empowered to help every student succeed.
When we take care of our teachers, our teachers can take care of our students.
The Suwannee County School District, my choice for high quality education!
Today, we’re featuring Cody Blackburn, a 2020 graduate of Suwannee High School. Since walking the halls of SCSD, he has gone on to become a journey lineman for Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative.
When asked about the impact SCSD had on him, Blackburn shared:
“All of the teachers seemed like they truly cared for us as individuals and would help in any way they could.”
While in school, Blackburn was involved in NROTC, and one favorite memory that still stands out is:
“All of my memories from NJROTC are my favorite, the bonds you make within the unit are the same as family.”
One accomplishment Blackburn is especially proud of since graduating is:
“Being able to stay where I grew up and help the community in times of need are worth everything to me. ”
And for current SCSD students, Blackburn offers this advice:
“If your plans after high school don’t work out the way you want them too, lean hard on your faith and everything will work out in time.”
Thank you, Cody Blackburn, for representing SCSD so well and for inspiring the next generation of students.
The Suwannee County School District, my choice for high quality education!
Through Florida’s Guardian Program, SCSD has trained and approved staff members on campus who serve as an added layer of protection. These individuals complete extensive background checks, rigorous training, and must meet strict state requirements before serving in this role.
In addition, our schools maintain:
Secure campuses with controlled access
Regular safety drills and emergency protocols
Strong partnerships with local law enforcement and first responders
Our goal is simple: to create a safe, supportive environment where students can focus on learning and families can feel confident about their child’s well-being.
The Suwannee County School District, my choice for high quality education!
