FAU's Lab Schools reach the top, and FAU High keeps climbing
Plus taiko drums twice today and free chlorine in city water through Oct. 11.
Niche evaluated 1,903 schools for its 2027 ranking of public K-12 schools. The No. 1 spot in the nation went to two FAU schools.
On Niche's 2027 Best Public K-12 Schools list, A.D. Henderson University School and FAU High School also rank No. 1 in Florida. FAU announced Oct. 1 that this is the first time the FAU Lab Schools have held the national top spot.
FAU High climbed on its own lists, too. Among Best Public High Schools nationally, it rose from No. 23 to No. 15. It ranks No. 5 in the nation for Best College Prep Public High School, up 12 spots. In Florida, it moved from No. 3 to No. 2 in both categories.
Teachers earned their own top marks. Lab Schools educators ranked No. 1 for Best Teachers in Florida at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. A.D. Henderson received an overall A+, plus A+ grades for administration, academics, teachers, college prep, and diversity.
City water may taste of chlorine through next Sunday
If your tap water tastes or smells of chlorine this week, that is expected. Boca Raton Utility Services is using free chlorine in place of chloramine from Sept. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 11, Boca Post reported Oct. 2. The city says customers may notice a chlorine taste or odor, and it says the water is safe to drink.
Home dialysis users and anyone who keeps an aquarium or a fish or shellfish tank should get professional guidance, because removing chlorine works differently than removing chloramine. Hydrant flushing also continues and may cause low pressure or discolored water.
The change covers city utility customers, not other water systems. Questions go to Utility Services at 561-338-7310.
Boca budgets full-time crews and a rescue truck for Station 8
Fire-Rescue Station 8 sits off SW 18th Street, just west of South Dixie Highway. Boca Daily News reported Oct. 1 that it is the only city station not staffed around the clock.
The city budget sets aside $2,561,500 for 12 firefighters/EMTs and four lieutenants to staff it. It also adds a rescue truck based permanently at Station 8. Chief John Treanor said that keeps other parts of the city from giving up a unit.
The Fire-Rescue fee rises from $155 to $224. The budget also adds four EMS captains to form a second EMS division. The finance chief said that change is independent of Station 8.
Four more fields are on the drawing board at Countess de Hoernle Park
Access to three FAU sports fields ends in 2030, and the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District has discussed that loss since June 2025. The agreements approved last month focus on Countess de Hoernle Park, also called the Spanish River Athletic Complex, on Spanish River Boulevard west of I-95.
The district approved the amended agreement Sept. 8, and the City Council approved it Sept. 22, The Coastal Star reported. The district will manage design, procurement, and construction of phase two. It must give substantial consideration to the city's comments. The agreement runs 30 years, with options for 10-year renewals.
The conceptual plan shows four new athletic fields, plus parking and restrooms. Executive director Briann Harms said the project is moving into design and permitting.
Taiko drums fill Willow Theatre twice today
- When
- Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026 · 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Where
- Willow Theatre at Sugar Sand Park
- Address
- 300 S. Military Trail
- Price
- $15 adults; $10 kids 12 and under
Fushu Daiko, presented by Japan Arts, Inc., brings six artists and Japanese taiko drums to a 90-minute, G-rated show with no intermission. Every age needs a ticket, including infants, so count every child in your group when you buy.
Howl-O-Ween brings a dachshund race to Countess de Hoernle Park
- When
- Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026 · 9 a.m. to noon
- Where
- Countess de Hoernle Park
- Price
- Free; no RSVP
The morning has three set pieces: a dog show at 9:30 a.m., a dachshund race at 10:30 a.m., and a costume contest at 11:30 a.m. Dogs must stay on a leash. That leaves three weeks to settle on a costume.
The city's Boo-ca Boo Days programs also run through October at libraries, parks, and nature centers, some free and some with resident fees.