Initiated by the City of Weston in 2002, Weston University is a seven-month program for high school students that provides participants with an opportunity to learn about state and local government through a combination of classroom and real-world experiences from the people who work in the City’s municipal operations.  The program concept was originated by Weston's first City Manager, John R. Flint, and developed by the City's Director of Communications, Denise Barrett-Miller.  Select students who reside in Weston and attend Cypress Bay, Western, Xceed Preparatory Academy and Sagemont High Schools are selected by their school to participate each year.  

The Weston University Program class commences each September and in October celebrates Florida City Government Week.  Students spend one school day each month with city staff.  Monthly program days include instruction, conversations, observations and hands-on activities, exposing students to the variety of City services that are provided to residents.  The program provides a comprehensive look into state and local government and the intergovernmental and public/private partnerships that Weston has developed.

At the conclusion of the program, students are required to participate in a simulated City Commission meeting and utilize the knowledge they have gained throughout the program year to present and/or defend their side of several agenda issues.  Lastly, students are honored with a graduation ceremony at a City Commission meeting in May and receive awards and a memory book for their successful completion of the program.   

The Weston University Program has been highly successful.  Staff and students alike enjoy the interaction and examination of Weston's unique form of government.  Who say's government can't be fun?  The Weston University Program proves you can combine learning and fun into one enjoyable program.

Goals and Objectives

Goals

• To create a unique educational and personal experience for high school students, through open communication with government officials and departments.
  
  
• To expose students to the multiple layers of government and various career possibilities.
  
  
• To provide a civic education on government in Florida.
  
  
• To enable students to understand procedures for making their opinions and concerns known to local government.

Objectives

• Students will develop an appreciation for and an understanding of local government through instruction, conversations, observation of daily activities and hands-on experiences.
  
  
• Students will gain an understanding of Weston's governmental structure and the role of residents in the decision-making process.
  
  
• Students will learn to problem-solve procedures used by city government, recognizing the positions taken by city officials and the reasons behind them.
  
  
• Students will effectively participate in a City Commission simulation.

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Program Days

One day per month, October– April
8:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Class 1
Local and State Government
Weston City Hall

Class 2
Development Services: Planning & Zoning/Engineering/GIS/Landscape Architecture
Calvin, Giordano and Associates, Inc.

Class 3
Fire and Emergency Medical Services
Weston Fire Station No. 81 

Class 4
Parks and Recreation/Public Works 
Weston Community Center & Weston Public Works Services Center

Class 5
Law enforcement Services
Weston Police Services Building 

Class 6
Finance & Technology Services and Commission Simulation Preparation
Weston City Hall

TRIP to Washington, D.C. dependent upon travel/health conditions

Class 7
City Commission Simulation - Mandatory attendance
Weston City Hall - Commission Chambers

Graduation Honors at City Commission Meeting
Weston City Hall

Memory Book

Click through the interactive book below to see highlights of the program. Also, check out the City's Filckr page to view albums of different program days.

Click here to view the Class of 2025 memory book.