Palm Beach Maritime Academy

At PBMA, your child is never just a number. With an average class size of 18–20 students compared to 30 or more in traditional public schools, our teachers and staff build real relationships with every scholar from the first day of kindergarten through senior year. Our principal greets students by name at the door, our counselors know each child's goals and growth areas, and our teachers design instruction around who students actually are. That kind of belonging is hard to find, and it changes everything.

We designed our school day with working families in mind. Before and after care runs from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., including supper, so your child is cared for, fed, and supervised long after the final bell. We also provide free vision screenings, glasses, and dental care right on campus, so families do not have to take time off work or navigate appointments on their own. Our weekend and summer food programs extend that same commitment through the weekends and into summer camp, so students are nourished and supported no matter the season.

No matter where your family lives in Palm Beach County, transportation is not a barrier at PBMA. Our free county-wide school bus service picks up students at any address across the county, and a shuttle connects our two campuses so families with students at all grade levels have one convenient pick up spot. A great education should be accessible, and we work hard to make sure it is.

We set our scholars up to finish high school with real college credentials already in hand. Through our Cambridge AICE Diploma Program (endorsement anticipated May 2026) and dual enrollment with Palm Beach State College, PBMA students can earn college credits before they ever set foot on a college campus. Students who graduate from PBMA leave academically prepared and emotionally grounded, with the skills to think critically, communicate confidently, and contribute to their communities.

PBMA was founded by the Palm Beach Maritime Museum to bring children closer to the water and the world around them, and that founding spirit is alive in every school year. Through STEAM and Marine Science learning, students explore Florida's ecosystems in ways that go far beyond a textbook. Our scholars have tagged sharks alongside University of Miami researchers, spent nights at a marine lab in Key Largo, and toured the Jupiter Lighthouse. When we say the ocean is part of the curriculum, we mean it.

Starting in the 2026–27 school year, PBMA athletes will compete against traditional public schools and be eligible for state titles. Flag football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and more give students the opportunity to grow through competition, teamwork, and school pride. We believe athletics build character alongside academics, and we are ready to show what our Sharks can do.

PBMA has been named a Palm Beach County Choice Award winner seven consecutive times. We are Cognia Accredited. Our Elementary Campus holds a B school rating and our Middle/High School Campus holds a C rating, among the strongest in the area. But what we are most proud of is the community that walks through our doors every day: families who chose PBMA, scholars who belong here, and staff who show up knowing every student by name.

We know that parents need to feel confident before they can feel at ease, and we take that seriously. PBMA was the first school in Palm Beach County to install an Active Alert campus security system. We also use Yondr phone-free pouches in classrooms, which have helped raise test scores by 37% in a single year, facial recognition cameras, and security guards on both campuses. Full-time licensed mental health counselors are present on both our Elementary Campus and our Middle/High School Campus every single day.

From our Robotics League to our Digital Media, Art, and Theater programs, PBMA gives students the tools to discover what they are great at and then build on it. Our annual school play and theater production brings both campuses together and gives every student a stage to shine. We know that creativity and innovation are not extras — they are essential to preparing students for the future.

The experiences at PBMA are the kind students talk about for years. Elementary scholars enjoy five field trips per year, per classroom. Older students board the Margaritaville ship, paint city streets through our community partnership, celebrate achievement at Leadership Night and Honor Roll events, and earn Shark of the Month recognition for their character. These are not one-time add-ons. They are woven into who we are.