M E C A = Magnet Educational Choice Association, Inc. “Helping students, teachers, and schools”

Incorporated with the State of Florida
Registered with Internal Revenue Service EIN # 65-0290712
With Florida State Sales Tax exemption(ask for certificate)

Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, consisting of 25 - 30 members

No paid staff or operating expenses – thanks to the generosity of Assistant Superintendent Michael Bell and Schools of Choice

Founded: May 8, 1991   Created by the School Board of Miami-Dade County as a
Direct Support, Not-for-Profit organization for educational purposes.

Originally for Magnet schools and Magnet programs but now including any, and all, CHOICE programs, as well as:
Arts for Learning
Student Services - Homeless
Life Skills – Talent and Gifted
Career Learning Initiatives
Title I – “Hippie Funds”
Summer Services

Facilitates solicitation of grants and charitable donations by affording donors tax credit benefits and a viable 501(c)3 funding structure.  All funds, both contributions and expenditures, are closely monitored, accounted, and audited by the M-DCPS Office of Management and Compliance Audits.

Provides a semi-autonomous banking facility for any school site organization including Booster Clubs but under direct supervision of the Principal or designee with Credit Card services and State Sales Tax exemption.

Assists communication with marketing & public relations, and publishes a newsletter of student successes and other CHOICE achievements.

Mini-Grants   $500 minimum  (turns wish lists into realities)
Junior  Internships  $1000 - $1600  (for credit, school-in-the-workplace opportunity)
Senior  Scholarships -  $500-$750  (honors achievement of needy graduates in CHOICE programs)