Use lowercase and use an apostrophe for bachelor’s degree, specialist’s degree, master’s in psychology, etc.

Use abbreviations such as B.A., B.S., M.A., M.S., M.Ed., Ph.D., Ed.D. with a person’s name.

Dr. Jane Smith or Jane Smith, Ed.D. — use Dr. or Ed.D., but not both.

Remember that not everyone is familiar with education-related acronyms. When writing, it is a best practice to spell out the program or title on first reference, followed by an abbreviation in parenthesis. Abbreviations are not necessary if not used later in your composition. However, there are several more commonly known abbreviations that can stand alone, including GPA, SAT, JROTC and more.

The name of each school must be followed with A Community Partnership School.

Evans High School, A Community Partnership School

OCPS Academic Center for Excellence, A Community Partnership School
(Use OCPS ACE on second reference.)

Use lowercase for academic department names, except for words that are proper names. Capitalize all other department names.

the history department
the math department

District Police
Human Resources

Capitalize the school system’s official name: Orange County Public Schools.

Variations of the name such as the Orange County public school system, Orange County school system or Orange County school district are acceptable, but each word should not be capitalized.
 

Orange County Public Schools offers one of the most comprehensive  postsecondary education programs in the state.

The Orange County public school system offers one of the most comprehensive postsecondary education programs in the state. 

“Orange County public schools” is correct when referring to all of the schools in the district.

All Orange County public schools have guidance counselors.

Capitalize a school’s full name, but lowercase elementary schools, middle schools, etc. if two or more schools are mentioned.

The meeting will be held at Oak Ridge High School.

Palm Lake, Ventura, Rock Springs and MetroWest elementary schools have new laptop devices for their students.

Capitalize the full name of governmental departments, agencies and offices. Use lowercase state if used instead of Florida.

The grants are funded by the Florida Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education.

The grants were funded by the state Department of Education.

The Orlando Police Department and other law enforcement agencies assist with the district’s School Police Liaison Program.

Lowercase state of, city of, town of, etc.

The city of Orlando and the Orange County School Board reached an agreement on the parking garage.

Capitalize legislature when it is preceded by the name of a state, or when the state name is dropped but the reference is specifically to that state’s legislature.

The Florida Legislature passed several laws concerning public education.

The Legislature is expected pass stiffer graduation requirements for Florida schools.

Lowercase legislature for all plural references and when used generically.

The Florida and Georgia legislatures passed similar bills.

No legislature has ratified the amendment.

“K-8” is only part of school names that have a magnet middle school. All others are {School Name} School without a level designation. Examples include:

Arbor Ridge K-8
Windy Ridge K-8
Audubon Park School
Blankner School
Lake Como School 
Wedgefield School 

Orange Technical College has five campuses:

Avalon
South
Main 
West 
East 

When referencing a specific campus, always lead with the college name (e.g., Orange Technical College - Avalon Campus)

The official name for our school board is the School Board of Orange County, Florida.

Orange County School Board or School Board of Orange County are also acceptable. 

When listing board member names, list the chairman first, followed by the vice chairman, with remaining members listed numerically by district.

Chair
Teresa Jacobs

Angie Gallo, District 1

Maria Salamanca, District 2

Alicia Farrant, District 3

Anne Douglas, District 4

Vicki-Elaine Felder, District 5

Stephanie Vanos, District 6

Vice Chair
Melissa Byrd, District 7

Capitalize the full name, School Board of Orange County or Orange County School Board.

The Orange County School Board meets every second and fourth Tuesday.

Lowercase school board or board if used without the county designation.

The school board will meet at 7 p.m. to discuss the new high school.

Capitalize School Board Meeting Room when referring to the room in which the Orange County School Board meets.

Use title and full name on first reference:

Superintendent Maria F. Vazquez. 

On second reference, use Dr. Vazquez.

In print, use: 

Maria F. Vazquez, Ed.D.
Superintendent 
Orange County Public Schools 

Capitalize formal titles when they are used immediately before an individual’s name.

Superintendent Jane Smith
School Board Member John Smith

Lowercase titles when they are used after an individual’s name.

Jane Smith, superintendent

John Smith, school board member

Lowercase and spell out titles when they are not used with an individual’s name.

The superintendent met with community members.

The executive director for governmental relations will address the delegates.

When referring to executive leaders, the following style should be used:

Executive Leader Jane Smith, Cadre 1

Lowercase occupational descriptions, even when used immediately before a name.

science teacher John Smith