J. P. Taravella High School

J. P. Taravella High School
Location
10600 Riverside Drive

Coral Springs
,
Florida
33071
Coordinates26°13′56″N 80°16′05″W / 26.2322893°N 80.2681383°W / 26.2322893; -80.2681383
Information
School typepublic high school
Founded1981 (1981)
School boardBroward County Public Schools
SuperintendentDr. Howard Hepburn
PrincipalMarietta DeArmas
Teaching staff100.60 (FTE)[1]
Grades9–12
Enrollment2,516 (2023–2024)[1]
Student to teacher ratio25.01[1]
AreaBroward County
ColorsSilver and Blue    
MascotTrojan Man
Team nameTrojans
Websitetaravella.browardschools.com

J. P. Taravella High School (founded in 1981) is a public secondary school in Coral Springs serving grades 9–12 as part of Broward County Public Schools. Named in honor of Joseph Phillip Taravella—president and chairman of Coral Ridge Properties, Inc., a subsidiary of Westinghouse Electric Corporation, and a founder of the City of Coral Springs—the school is regarded as a neighborhood cornerstone and a “hidden gem” of the community. JPT offers a comprehensive range of academic and extracurricular opportunities designed to serve diverse learning pathways, including Career and Technical Education (CTE) and vocational programs, Cambridge/AICE studies, Advanced Placement courses through the College Board, and dual enrollment partnerships with Broward College, Florida International University, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. In addition, the school features a full complement of athletic teams and student clubs, as well as robust Fine Arts and music programs that contribute to its well-rounded educational environment.

Recognition

Taravella is ranked as a public high school 148th in the State of Florida and 2022nd nationally. There is an Accelerated Program pass rate of 51% at the school.[2] It was the recipient of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award in 1987.[3]

2025 – “A” School Grade (Broward County): J. P. Taravella High School earned an “A” rating from Broward County Public Schools, reflecting strong academic performance and student achievement.

2025 – SECME/Engineering Club State Recognition: The school’s SECME/Engineering team placed third in Engineering Technology and Design at the Florida SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference (also achieved in 2023).

2025 – Competitive Cheer District Champions: Taravella’s Competitive Cheer Team captured the district title.

2025 – NJROTC Multiple Honors: The NJROTC program earned top placements at the Boca Gold Coast competition, including 1st Place in Individual Female Push-Ups, 3rd Place in Individual Academics, 4th Place in the 100m Relay, and 5th Place in Unarmed Basic Drill, along with 2nd Place at Nova’s NJROTC Brain Brawl.

2025 – Thespian Troupe 3502 District Awards: The drama program earned 4 Critics’ Choice Awards, 2 Honorable Mentions, 6 Top Honors, 12 Superiors, and 17 Excellents at the District Thespian Festival.

2025 – Marching Band Invitational Honors: The Marching Band placed 2nd in Class 2A and received Best in Class Percussion at the Falcon Sound Invitational.

2025 – FHSAA State Swimming Champion: A Taravella swimmer became State Champion in both the 50 Freestyle and 100 Freestyle in the Florida High School Athletic Association State Swimming Series.

2025 – Cross Country Championships: The boys’ cross country team won its third consecutive Bob Shever NW Area Championship, while the girls’ team placed third overall.

2025 – Everglades Literacy Champion School: Recognized by The Everglades Foundation for environmental leadership, with the Marine Club promoting campus sustainability initiatives.

2024 – “B” School Grade (Broward County): J. P. Taravella High School earned an “B” rating from Broward County Public Schools, reflecting strong academic performance and student achievement and improving from C for several years.

2023 – SkillsUSA State Placement: SECME/Engineering Club team placed third at the Florida SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference in Engineering Technology and Design.

2018 – Bands of America Regional Finalist: The Marching Band finished 10th at the Orlando Regional Competition of Bands of America and advanced to Regional Finals.

2017 – ACE Mentoring County Champions: Taravella’s ACE Mentoring team won first place in the county competition.

2016 – JPT Chariot State Recognition: The student newspaper earned the Silver Prize (Second Place) in the Florida Scholastic Press Association Newspaper Evaluations.

2014 – State Thespian Mainstage Selection: The Drama Club was selected to perform Ragtime at the Florida State Thespian Festival Mainstage.

2009 – Presidential Inaugural Parade Selection: The J.P. Taravella Marching Band was selected by the Presidential Inaugural Committee to represent Florida in the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C.

2009 – National Speech & Debate Success: At the National Forensic League (now National Speech & Debate Association) National Tournament, Taravella students earned multiple top-six national finishes in Extemporaneous Speaking and Public Forum Debate.

2008 – Crown Jewel Grand Champions: The Marching Band won the Grand Championship and swept all awards at the Vero Beach Crown Jewel Marching Competition.

1987 – National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence: Recipient of the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Schools Program Award.

State & National Rankings: Ranked 148th among Florida public high schools and 2,022nd nationally, with a 51% Accelerated Program pass rate.

Demographics

As of the 2021–22 school year, the total student enrollment is 2,752. The ethnic makeup of the school is 47.9% White, 43% Black, 32.4% Hispanic, 3.3% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 4.5% Multiracial, and 0.9% Native American or Native Alaskan. 59.9% of the student body is on the free-and-reduced lunch program.[4]

Notable alumni

Incidents

2015

During the 2014–15 school year two small fires, two fights and the arrest of a student at J.P. Taravella High School prompted major concern. Through the rest of the week there was a heavy police presence at the school. The Broward School District said more officers than usual were at the school Wednesday "as an extra precaution and deterrent to potential disruptions," spokeswoman Nadine Drew said. "The school operated its normal schedule of classes and activities today, without incident."[10]

2017

On March 6, 2017, a violent fight broke out between students in the school's parking lot behind the cafeteria. A video shows a female student being dragged across a parking lot by her hair, then being beaten by the other student, who punches her and kicks her in the head.[11]

During the week of May 14 – May 20 during the 2016–2017 school year, the school received a series of gun threats and lock-downs.[12][13]

2018

During the 2017–2018 school year, student Tyler Ahrens was arrested on Tuesday, April 4 for threatening to "shoot up" JP Taravella. Ahrens made posts on social media which read "I want to be a professional school shooter (no sarcasm, Broward County Florida) JP Taravella HS is my target tomorrow. I’M LEGIT NOT JOKING AROUND! SPREAD MY MESSAGE!!!!" and "For who ever is reading this, I will be shooting up my high school in Broward County FL. Tomorrow afternoon at 12:00 when school starts. Round 2. JP Travels HS! (I am legit, make my presence known)." under the screen name "Sharp Shooter."[14] This comes just two months after the deadly shooting at Taravella's sister school Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Ahrens pleaded not guilty on May 11, 2018, and remains on house arrest.[15]

On October 2, 2018, during the 2018–2019 school year, JP Taravella's wrestling coach, Dustin Roy Garvin, was arrested for soliciting sexual acts with a minor online.[16] The Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducted an undercover operation targeting J.P. Taravella High School assistant wrestling coach 32-year-old Dustin Roy Garvin on Aug. 30, 2017. Coral Springs Police, FBI and Broward Sheriff's Office officials took Garvin into custody at the school, Tuesday, after authorities said he had sexual conversations with an undercover agent who posed as the father of a 13-year-old boy. Officials said Garvin created a Craigslist ad under the username "Dirty Dusty" that solicited sexual favors from children. An undercover agent exchanged multiple conversations with Garvin in which, police said, he requested photos of the alleged boy. On October 3, 2018, Garvin was released on a $35,000 bond.[17]

References

  1. ^ a b c "J. P. TARAVELLA HIGH SCHOOL". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  2. ^ "J.P. Taravella in Coral Springs, FL – US News Best High Schools". U.S. News.
  3. ^ "National Blue Ribbon Schools Program". United States Department of Education. September 24, 2020.
  4. ^ "2021–22 BENCHMARK DAY ENROLLMENT REPORT" (PDF). Broward County Public Schools. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  5. ^ "Nevelle Clarke Bio". UCFKnights.com. Archived from the original on August 27, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  6. ^ Miller, Lauren (October 6, 2011). "New Found Glory living the dream". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Chad Gilbert (guitarist) attended J.P. Taravella
  7. ^ "Scott Mitchell Putesky Biography". Angelfire. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  8. ^ "Robbie Widlansky Bio". Fausports.com. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  9. ^ "Charlie Adelson Testimony". YouTube. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  10. ^ "Fires, fights at Springs high school prompt police patrols". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  11. ^ "Fight at Taravella High School leaves parents shocked, worried". Local 10 News. March 7, 2017.
  12. ^ "Fake Gun Prompts Evacuation Of JP Taravella High, 1 In Custody". CBS4 Miami. May 18, 2017.
  13. ^ "Taravella High School downgraded to 'Code Yellow' after fake gun found". Miami Herald.
  14. ^ "Tamarac Juvenile Arrested After Threatening to "Shoot Up" High School". Tamarac Talk. April 6, 2018.
  15. ^ "Teen faces up to 3 years in prison if convicted of threatening to shoot up school". Tamarac Talk. May 11, 2018.
  16. ^ "High school coach accused of soliciting sex online in sting operation". 7 NEWS Miami.
  17. ^ "High school coach accused of soliciting sex from minor released on bond". 7 NEWS Miami.
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