More than 250 Broward County students to travel to Tallahassee for Rally to the Tally for New Floridians program

Broward County, Florida – More than 250 students from Broward County Public Schools will head to Florida’s capital next week as part of an educational initiative designed to connect English Language Learners with the inner workings of government, civic engagement, and higher education.

The program, known as Rally to the Tally for New Floridians, will take place from Monday, May 4 through Thursday, May 7, 2026, bringing together middle and high school students from across the district for a four-day learning experience in Tallahassee.

Students participating in the trip represent nine middle schools and 13 high schools throughout Broward County. Organizers say the program offers much more than a traditional field trip, giving students firsthand exposure to how state government operates while encouraging them to become more active members of their communities.

The students involved are all English Language Learners, many of whom come from families that are still adapting to life in the United States. District leaders say the trip is intended to help students better understand American civic institutions while also building confidence in their own ability to participate in public life.

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The journey will begin early Monday morning, with buses departing from several district locations before sunrise. Media coverage is expected at West Broward High School, where students and staff are scheduled to begin arriving around 4:30 a.m. before buses leave shortly before 5 a.m.

Once in Tallahassee, students will tour some of the state’s most important government institutions, including the Florida Supreme Court and the Florida State Capitol.

A major part of the experience will involve direct interaction with lawmakers. Students are expected to meet with members of Florida’s House and Senate to discuss issues included in their Youth Legislative Agenda, giving participants a rare opportunity to present ideas and concerns directly to elected officials.

Organizers say these conversations are designed to help students understand how policy decisions are made while encouraging them to see their voices as important within the democratic process.

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The trip will also include visits to two of Florida’s major universities — the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida. Officials say the campus tours are meant to inspire students to think seriously about future educational opportunities and long-term career goals.

The Rally to the Tally initiative is organized by the district’s Bilingual/ESOL Department in partnership with the Close Up Foundation. Funding for the experience is provided through Title III, Part A, a federal program that supports language instruction for English learners.

District officials say the annual program continues to grow because of the impact it has on students both academically and personally. By combining government education, leadership development, and college exposure into one experience, organizers hope participants return home with a stronger sense of belonging and civic responsibility.

For many students, the trip represents a first visit to the state capital — and perhaps the first time they will see themselves not just as students, but as future leaders within their communities.