M-DCPS Middle School Principal Wins Florida TaxWatch’s 2024-25 Principal Leadership Award

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) Leisure City K-8 Center Principal Walter C. Hall has been awarded Florida TaxWatch’s Principal Leadership Award (PLA), recognizing him as one of Florida’s 15 most successful principals from high-risk K-12 public schools.

“This means that the decisions I’ve been making are the right ones for the children,” said Hall. “When something like this happens, you’re confident that you’re making the right decisions in the best interests of the children and that’s what matters most.”

The PLA program, established in 2013, recognizes educational leaders who are creating meaningful changes in their students’ lives, while also promoting their uniquely effective practices among their peers. Florida TaxWatch uses comprehensive data to determine the most effective principals in the state, and to reward them for the impact they have on both their schools and their communities. This year, there are five deserving winners each from elementary, middle and high schools across the state.  

In addition, every principal can nominate a deserving student for an Academic A+ Challenge Match Scholarship sponsored by the Florida Prepaid Foundation. Hall chose King Carter, an 8th grader at Leisure City K-8 Center, as his nominee for the scholarship. He said Carter is involved in student government, a Dolphin ambassador for his school, and an overall amazing student and role model to his peers.

The award winners will be individually honored in ceremonies held in their schools’ campuses beginning next week.

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