Bruce Fawcett, Head of School, North Broward Preparatory School

May 2026 — Invest: sat down with Bruce Fawcett, head of school of North Broward Preparatory School, to discuss affordability, AI in the classroom, student well-being, and the role education plays in regional growth. “Education today is much more fluid and responsive to the needs of the broader community than it’s ever been,” Fawcett said.

How have changes over the past year affected North Broward Preparatory School, and how has the school responded?

From a whole-school perspective, changing economics across the Greater Fort Lauderdale area have had a real impact. As a school with our price point, affordability can become more challenging when the economy softens and families feel more pressure. One of the ways we have responded is by increasing financial aid and making sure we understand the needs of both current and prospective families.

From a teaching and learning perspective, the biggest driver of change is AI. The broader business world is already being shaped by it, and our responsibility is to prepare students to use the tools that will define their future, including those that do not yet exist. We have embraced AI as another tool rather than something to fear.

How is the school adapting its academic approach to prepare students for a technology-driven world?

One of the strengths of North Broward is that we have always been flexible in how we approach teaching and learning. We have spent significant time empowering our teachers, from pre-K through 12th grade, to explore AI and identify valuable ways to use it in their classrooms. We share best practices regularly and have administrators working at the cutting edge of how to incorporate AI effectively.

What has helped us most is that we did not see AI as a threat. We saw it as an opportunity and a reality. Because of that, we are in a strong position to integrate it meaningfully into the daily lives of students, teachers, and administrators.

What role does the school’s international dimension play in shaping student outcomes?

It aligns directly with our mission of creating global citizens to create their future and live with purpose. Having a diverse international population in our classrooms broadens the range of thought students encounter and deepens conversations and learning.

South Florida is already diverse, but our international boarding program expands that diversity even further. Students are exposed to different perspectives, which strengthens their educational experience. In math, for example, students see that one concept can be approached in multiple ways. In social sciences, exposure to different perspectives helps students better understand history and current events.

That kind of environment prepares students to function more effectively in a globalized world.

How is North Broward supporting student well-being?

Well-being has come to the forefront since COVID. We recognize the importance of supporting students physically, emotionally, and socially. Rather than taking an episodic approach, we have embedded well-being into the curriculum from pre-K through 12th grade.

We dedicate time every week to building communication skills, emotional awareness, and the ability to seek help when needed. These efforts are reinforced through teacher training, our dean’s office, and school policies. There is a clear understanding that students need to be healthy in order to thrive academically and personally.

How do you view education’s contribution to the broader regional economy?

Education is the most important driver of economic growth. The world is changing rapidly, and many of the jobs today’s students will enter do not yet exist. To prepare them, we need to develop flexible thinkers who are willing to explore opportunities and take risks.

That is one of the reasons I am in education. Being well educated prepares individuals for almost everything they will experience in life. At North Broward, we emphasize opportunity and student agency, allowing students to explore their interests, even if that means discovering what they do not want to do.

We also help students learn through struggle. Reflecting on challenges and setbacks is often what leads to meaningful growth.

What strategies does North Broward use to attract and retain high-quality educators and staff?

This extends beyond educators to everyone who supports the school. Every role is essential. We have invested heavily in recruitment to ensure we bring in people who are aligned with our mission and culture.

Once people are here, we focus on growth and development. That may mean becoming more effective in their current role or advancing within the organization. We provide ongoing opportunities for professional development.

I am an example of that. I started as a social science teacher 22 years ago and progressed through multiple leadership roles to become head of school. At each stage, I received support, mentoring, and training.

Through our parent organization, Nord Anglia Education, we offer structured development opportunities, including Nord Anglia University and leadership programs. These not only build skills but also connect our staff with peers across the global network. As a result, we have built strong leadership depth and stability.

What investments matter most as the school positions itself for the next decade?

We are constantly evaluating whether we have the right facilities, curriculum, and teaching strategies. We maintain an ongoing development plan for our campus while continuously reviewing what we teach, adding new programs, and phasing out those that no longer align with future needs.

We also invest heavily in our people. How we teach is just as important as what we teach, and both must align with where our students are headed.

Looking ahead, our buildings, curriculum, and strategies will continue to evolve because the world will continue to change. Education today is much more fluid and responsive to the needs of the broader community than it has ever been.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

This is a great school. All three of my children are alums and are doing well, and I have had the opportunity to grow here in ways I hoped for when I entered education.

What I value most is the community. This is the best community I have ever been a part of, and the daily happiness quotient is very high. That is something I am incredibly proud of.