About MCEF & Our Programs
Monroe County Education Foundation (MCEF) was established in 1996 as a Florida not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing and improving educational experiences of students within Monroe County. The foundation provides financial support as well as sponsoring several programs, each designed to broaden our students’ educational experiences and opportunities.
Take Stock in Children (TSIC) of Monroe County, Florida
Take Stock in Children, the flagship program of the Monroe County Education Foundation, provides Florida Prepaid college scholarships upon high school graduation to qualified 6th-12th grade Monroe County public school students residing in low-income households. TSIC Monroe is an award-winning model within the statewide Take Stock in Children program. Earning Gold Level in Excellence for the 9th consecutive year is a result of a concerted endeavor consisting of over 300 dedicated volunteer mentors and students with a network of individual donors, corporate sponsors and a hardworking staff.
Take Stock Monroe 2023 Graduation Ceremony
Project Lead The Way (PLTW)
PLTW is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for PreK-12 students and teachers across the U.S.
Students are empowered to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges. Through our pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science, students not only learn technical skills, but also learn to solve problems, think critically and creatively, communicate, and collaborate. We also provide teachers with the training, resources, and support they need to engage students in real-world learning.
Experiment in International Living (The Experiment), Monroe County
The Experiment in International Living provides summer abroad programs for high school students who want to connect deeply and engage meaningfully with the richness and complexities of another country. Participants explore the host country through hands-on experiences in local communities and through the lens of a specific theme.
The Experiment Monroe County has been a companion program sponsored by MCEF since 2006. Area high-school students benefit from the experience of living abroad with families for 3 to 5 weeks during the summer. A variety of program themes are designed to instill a deeper cultural awareness, nurture relationships through the development of language skills, and encourage many other hands-on activities. The Experiment has offered these opportunities, nationally, since 1932.
LEAP: Leadership Excellence
Leadership. Excellence. Accelerating Potential: LEAP for short, provides opportunities for students to learn more about leadership skills which can increase a student’s potential to be successful while in high school and afterwards in college and career. Sponsored by the Monroe County Education Foundation, LEAP offers scholarship opportunities to TSIC Monroe scholars to attend the weeklong program at the University of California - Los Angeles. The program is also open to all Monroe County students.