At Palm Beach Maritime Academy (PBMA), a K-12 public charter school with campuses across Palm Beach County, we build our days around one simple idea. A student cannot learn well if they do not feel safe and known. That is why we combine advanced campus security with small class sizes and full-time mental health counselors, so every scholar is protected, recognized by name, and supported in reaching their goals. Here's what that means day to day.
What Does Campus Security Look Like at Palm Beach Maritime Academy?
We were the first school in Palm Beach County to install an Active Alert campus security system. It's one piece of a layered approach we take seriously on both of our campuses.
Here is what protects our scholars every day:
- Active Alert emergency response technology
- Yondr phone-free pouches during the school day
- Facial recognition cameras at campus entry points
- On-site security guards
- Ongoing partnership with local law enforcement
We also hold Cognia accreditation, which means our safety and operational practices are reviewed against a national standard, not just our own.
Why Do Small Class Sizes Matter for Student Safety and Support?
Safety is not only about systems and cameras. It is also about whether a teacher notices when something feels off with a student.
Our average class size is 18 to 20 students, compared to 30 or more in many traditional schools. That gap changes what a school day actually feels like.
| Palm Beach Maritime Academy | Typical Traditional School | |
|---|---|---|
| Average class size | 18-20 students | 30+ students |
| Staff familiarity | Teachers know each student by name and goals | Varies widely by class load |
| Support model | Weekly school-based team meetings for targeted instruction | Case-by-case, often reactive |
When a class is small, a teacher can tell the difference between a student who is quiet because they are focused and a student who is quiet because something is wrong. That kind of attention cannot be scheduled or scaled. It comes from simply having room to notice.
How Do Counselors and Character Education Help Every Student Feel Seen?
We keep full-time licensed mental health counselors on both of our campuses. That is not an add-on service. It is part of how we run our school year.
We pair that with:
- 🌟 Evidence-based social-emotional learning built into daily instruction
- 🌟 Weekly school-based team meetings that track individual student progress and IEPs
- 🌟 Monthly Shark of the Month recognition, celebrating character alongside academics
These pieces work together so a student is not just physically safe on our campus. They are known, tracked, and celebrated. Interested in learning more? Check out More Than a School: The PBMA Approach to Raising the Whole Child, and in Phones Down, Minds On, where we talk about how our Yondr phone-free classrooms have supported focus and academic growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
✅ How does Palm Beach Maritime Academy keep students physically safe on campus?
We use an Active Alert emergency response system, facial recognition cameras at entry points, on-site security guards, and Yondr phone-free pouches during the school day, backed by an ongoing partnership with local law enforcement.
✅ How does PBMA make sure my student isn't overlooked in a large school?
Our average class size is 18 to 20 students, well below the 30 or more common at many traditional schools. That gap gives teachers the room to notice when a student needs support, not just when they are struggling academically.
✅ Who is watching out for my student's emotional wellbeing, not just their grades?
Full-time licensed mental health counselors are on staff at both of our campuses, and our teams hold weekly school-based meetings to track individual student progress so concerns get caught early.
✅ Can I see these safety and support systems in action before enrolling?
Yes! The best way is to schedule a tour. You will walk our campuses, meet staff, and see firsthand how class sizes and support systems work day to day.
What This Means for Your Family
For a parent, this adds up to something simple. You can drop your student off in the morning and go to work knowing exactly who is watching over them and how.
If your student struggles with anxiety, a counselor already knows their name before there is a crisis. If your student is quiet in a crowd, a teacher with 18 students instead of 30 is far more likely to notice. If something happens on campus, you are not relying on hope. You are relying on a system we built and tested before it was ever needed.
If your student is starting the 2026-27 school year with us, or if you are still weighing your options before the first day on August 10, we would love to show you around. Schedule a tour or enroll for 2026-27 today and see what safe, seen, and supported looks like in person.
About Palm Beach Maritime Academy
Palm Beach Maritime Academy is a tuition-free public charter school serving students in Kindergarten through 12th grade across two campuses in Palm Beach County, Florida. Founded by the Palm Beach Maritime Museum, PBMA combines rigorous academics - including Cambridge AICE coursework, STEAM programming, and dual enrollment with Palm Beach State College - with a whole-child philosophy that puts safety, belonging, and individualized support at the center of every school day. With small class sizes, full-time licensed mental health counselors, a robust extracurricular program, and county-wide transportation, PBMA offers a college-preparatory education that is completely tuition-free. Visit us at palmbeachmaritimeacademy.org today.
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